PESHAWAR (Salman Yousafzai): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Department has issued an advisory to all district health officers, medical superintendents, and directors of government and private teaching hospitals throughout the province due to the potential threat of the Nipah virus.
In a letter from the Directorate General of Health Services, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was emphasised that the Nipah virus is a dangerous infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and in some cases, from human to human. It can lead to severe respiratory illness and life-threatening encephalitis.
The health department noted that recent reports confirmed the spread of the Nipah virus in West Bengal, India; however, no cases have been reported in Pakistan so far. Despite this, all health institutions have been instructed to remain vigilant as a precautionary measure.
The advisory outlines the need for disease surveillance, timely diagnosis, reporting, and the implementation of infection prevention and control measures, following guidelines from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. Concerned officers have been directed to immediately report any suspected cases and to strictly enforce safety measures.
Read also: 17 Students went unconscious due to gas leakage in Students Hostel
