Nipah virus outbreak: Health ministry shares latest update on deadly infection as Thailand, Nepal and Malaysia airports step up screening of passengers

Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal has sparked concerns among health officials, prompting South Asian airports to tighten the screening measures for travellers. Two cases have been confirmed in West Bengal since December in healthcare workers. The health ministry on Tuesday shared an update about the Nipah virus and said that two cases have been detected since December, adding that all 196 identified contacts had been quarantined and tested. "Speculative and incorrect figures regarding Nipah virus cases are being circulated," the health ministry warned in a statement that put the tally of infections at two. Earlier, multiple reports stated that at least five people have been infected in West Bengal due to the Nipah virus outbreak.

The health authorities said they have traced 196 contacts linked to both cases and all of them have tested negative for the virus. The statement from the health ministry came after Thailand stepped up scrutiny of air passengers, adding that it had tightened airport screening measures, with neighbouring Malaysia following suit.

Nipah virus: Thailand, Malaysia airports step up screening

Though no cases have been reported outside India, Thailand, Malaysia and Nepal airports have stepped up precautions to contain the deadly virus with a high fatality rate. On Sunday, Thailand started screening passengers at three international airports in Bangkok and Phuket that receive flights from West Bengal. Passengers from these flights have been asked to make health declarations. The parks and wildlife department has also implemented stricter screenings in natural tourist attractions in Thailand in view of the Nipah virus.


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Nepal, too, has begun screening people arriving through the airport in Kathmandu and other land border points with India. Meanwhile, health authorities in Taiwan have proposed to list the Nipah virus as a "Category 5 disease". Under the island's system, diseases classified as Category 5 are emerging or rare infections with major public health risks, that require immediate reporting and special control measures.

Malaysia's health ministry said it was beefing up preparedness via health screening at international ports of entry, especially for arrivals from countries at risk. "The ministry remains vigilant against the risk of
cross-border transmission following sporadic infections in several other countries," it added in a statement on Wednesday.

What is Nipah virus? Signs and symptoms

Nipah is a deadly virus with no vaccine or cure and is considered a high-risk pathogen by the World Health Organization. Experts say human infections are rare and usually occur when the virus spills over from bats, often through contaminated fruit. The Nipah virus has a high fatality rate- ranging from 40% to 75% and there is no vaccine to prevent infection and no treatment to cure it.

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The Nipah virus can be transmitted from animals, like pigs and fruit bats, to humans. The virus can also spread person-to-person through contaminated food. People who contract the virus show a wide range of symptoms, or sometimes, none at all.

Initial symptoms may include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. In some people, these may be followed by drowsiness, altered consciousness, and pneumonia.

Nipah virus outbreaks were reported in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007. In more recent years, Kerala has emerged as a hotspot for Nipah virus infections. In 2018, the state recorded 19 cases, 17 of which were fatal, while in 2023, two deaths were reported among six confirmed cases.

(With inputs from Reuters)