A serious health alert is rippling across parts of Asia after a fresh outbreak of the Nipah virus in eastern India. Authorities in countries like Thailand, Taiwan, and Nepal are rapidly increasing health surveillance and travel screenings, reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The alarm was raised after five confirmed cases of Nipah virus were reported in India’s West Bengal. Worryingly, over 100 people have been quarantined, including a doctor, a nurse, and other hospital staff. This has sparked concerns about potential person-to-person transmission, especially within healthcare environments.
For those unfamiliar, Nipah is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can spread from infected animals (like bats or pigs) to humans. In some cases, it also spreads through close human contact. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a “priority pathogen” due to its high epidemic potential and a concerning fatality rate, which can range from 40% to a staggering 75% in past outbreaks.
In response, airports in Thailand, such as Suvarnabhumi and Phuket, are implementing enhanced screenings for travelers arriving from West Bengal, checking for fever and other symptoms. Passengers are also receiving “beware” cards with crucial health information. Nepal has likewise beefed up screening at its international airport and land borders. Taiwan is taking an even stronger stance, proposing to classify Nipah as a Category 5 notifiable disease – its highest level for emerging infections.
Beyond travel, officials are urging visitors to natural areas not to hunt, forage, or eat wild food, to prevent animal-to-human transmission. While no domestic cases have been detected in these monitoring countries, surveillance remains high. Symptoms can vary from fever and headaches to severe respiratory illness and dangerous brain inflammation. This swift, coordinated action highlights the global community’s vigilance against emerging infectious diseases.
Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/airports-introduce-covid-style-measures-36620169
