High alert in Punjab Provience as Nipah Virus threat
The Punjab government has issued a high alert in response to growing concerns about the outbreak of the Nipah virus in the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The alert encompasses all areas of the province, including the capital city, Lahore, and marks a significant step in the battle against the virus.
One alarming fact emphasized in the issued letter is the high mortality rate associated with the Nipah virus, currently estimated at a staggering 74%. This underscores the urgency of the situation.
The circular further underscores the rapid spread of the Nipah virus in neighboring countries, raising fears of possible transmission to Pakistan. To counter this threat, the CEOs of Health have been instructed to promptly upload data on all suspected Nipah-affected patients to a centralized dashboard.
Moreover, it is imperative that both private and public sector hospitals adhere to the provided guidelines.
A crucial aspect of the containment strategy is the monitoring of all potentially affected patients, who should be isolated based on suspicion. To expedite the diagnostic process, samples must be collected and promptly sent to the laboratory for PCR testing.
The Nipah virus has demonstrated its ability to spread rapidly, both from animals to humans and from person to person. In a grim reality, there is currently no vaccine available for the virus. Hence, the only effective strategy against it remains timely diagnosis and treatment.
Past Outbreaks
Nipah virus was first recognized in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in, Malaysia. No new outbreaks have been reported in Malaysia since 1999.
It was also recognized in Bangladesh in 2001, and nearly annual outbreaks have occurred in that country since. The disease has also been identified periodically in eastern India.
Other regions may be at risk for infection, as evidence of the virus has been found in the known natural reservoir (Pteropus bat species) and several other bat species in a number of countries, including Cambodia, Ghana, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Thailand.
