LARKANA: The presence of fruit-eating bats in large numbers in guava orchards of Larkana and Shikarpur districts has created a serious public health concern, says Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA), Larkana Division President Syed Siraj Auliya Rashdi.

He spoke to Dawn and also issued a statement on Thursday to draw government’s attention to the imminent threat to people’s life from Nipah virus.

Government must take immediate step to check the virus, he said, pointing out that fruit-eating bats are the known carriers of Nipah, thus a potential threat.

According to Mr Rashdi, bats are visible feeding on fruits in the Akil, Aghani and Taggar areas, where guava orchards are present along the right bank of the Indus. Guava orchards also present along the left bank of the river.

These orchards are spread over an area of around 12,000 acres between Mohenjo-Daro in Larkana district and Madeji in Shikarpur district.

However, he added, there are only some particular areas where bats are seen.

The SCA leader referred to the World Health Organisation (WHO) warning that Nipah is a highly dangerous neurological virus for which no vaccine or specific treatment is currently available anywhere in the world.

According to medical experts, in severe Nipah cases, the virus can cause brain inflammation and unconsciousness and may even push a patient into coma within a few days of being infected.

Fruit-eating bats have been identified as the primary source of Nipah transmission to humans.

Mr Rashdi observed that risk of virus spread is there due to the reduced population of kites and eagles within the vulnerable area. Both these birds prey the bat, he said.

There has been an alarm among growers over Nipah threat in view of an outbreak-like situation in the neighbouring countries.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2026