Airports across parts of Asia have begun tightening health surveillance and travel screening following an outbreak of the Nipah virus in the Indian state of West Bengal. Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan are among the countries and territories that have stepped up precautionary measures after two cases were confirmed.
In Thailand, health screening has been intensified at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports for passengers arriving from West Bengal. Travellers are being monitored for fever and symptoms, and health 'beware' cards are being issued. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said no domestic cases have been recorded but surveillance levels will remain high.
Nepal has raised alert levels and intensified health checks at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at key land border crossings with India. Health desks have been set up to screen travellers, and hospitals have been instructed to report suspicious cases. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, said individual screening of passengers has begun.
Taiwan is planning to list Nipah virus infection as a Category 5 notifiable disease, the highest classification for serious emerging infections. The move, subject to a 60-day public comment period, would require immediate reporting and special control measures. Taiwan's Centres for Disease Control is maintaining a Level 2 'yellow' travel alert for Kerala state.
In West Bengal, 196 people identified as contacts of the infected patients were traced, monitored and tested, all returning negative results, according to the Indian health ministry. The World Health Organisation has described Nipah virus as a priority pathogen due to its potential to trigger an epidemic.
