Pakistan’s National Institute of Health (NIH) has acquired 100 testing kits for the detection of the Nipah virus.
This was shared during a meeting chaired by Health Secretary Hamid Yaqoob, where officials said that samples of suspected Nipah patients will be sent to the NIH for confirmation.
Health authorities said the Sindh Health Department has also issued a Nipah virus alert. Screening of passengers has been made mandatory at all land and air entry points across the country.
Read more: What is Nipah virus and how does it spread?
Officials added that passengers’ travel history from the past 21 days is being checked and high-risk travelers are under close monitoring. During screening, special attention is being given to symptoms such as fever, breathing problems and neurological signs. Any suspected person will be immediately isolated and shifted to an isolation unit.
Authorities have also directed provinces to ensure designated hospitals and trained medical staff for dealing with Nipah virus cases.
The National Institute of Health has clarified that there is currently no confirmed case of the Nipah virus in Pakistan.
Read more: Nipah Virus: Returns to regional spotlight after fresh cases in India
