RAWALPINDI, Feb 09 (APP): The District Health Authority (DHA), Rawalpindi has issued a public health advisory regarding Nipah virus prevention, amid an uprising social debate.
The advisory states that there are currently no confirmed cases of Nipah virus in Rawalpindi or anywhere in Pakistan. The advisory is a proactive step to keep citizens safe, in line with guidelines from the National Institute of Health Islamabad and Border Health Services.
In the advisory, the general public has been asked to stay calm while following simple precautions, especially when buying and handling fresh fruits and dates.
Dr Ehsan Ghani, Chief Executive Officer of the District Health Authority, in a brief talk with APP, said that health and safety of the community remain top priority of the health department. He explained that there is no cause for panic at all.
“People should people to remain vigilant and follow good food hygiene practices”, he said.
Dr Ghani went on saying that the department was fully prepared and monitoring the situation closely, teams are ready to respond immediately if any change occurs. He stressed that the message is only meant to encourage extra care during fruit purchases and preparation, especially at this time when fresh products are widely available in markets.
“Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection that spreads from animals to humans”, informed Dr. Waqar Ahmad health authority spokesman.
Dr Waqar said that fruit bats are the natural host of the virus which can pass to people through contact with infected bats or pigs, or more often through eating food contaminated by bat saliva or urine. To a question, Dr Waqar informed that human-to-human spread is possible through close contact with body fluids of an infected person, but contaminated food remains the main risk for the general public.
The advisory urged everyone to check fruits carefully before buying, wash them thoroughly under running water, and maintain strict hand hygiene. These small steps, they say, are enough to keep the already low risk even lower.
Experts note that nipah virus infection in humans can range from mild or even no symptoms to very severe and life-threatening illness. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 14 days after exposure to the virus with initial symptoms including fever, cough and respiratory problems, and in severe cases, the disease often progresses to involve the brain and/or serious lung problems.
Dr. Waqar while noting zero big threat as yet, said citizens should be careful in the markets during buying fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Don’t panic, just follow general SOPs, maintain good hygiene, prevent water contamination and check food items before buying”, he said.