New Delhi / Islamabad: Following the detection of two Nipah virus cases in India, authorities in Pakistan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia have intensified screening measures at airports to prevent the spread of the highly infectious virus.
Nipah virus, which spreads from fruit bats and pigs to humans, can cause fever and severe brain inflammation. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies it as a priority pathogen, with a mortality rate ranging between 40 and 75 percent. Currently, no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists, making prevention the most effective measure.
India has confirmed the two cases in West Bengal, both involving healthcare workers who are receiving treatment in a local hospital. Indian authorities have traced 196 contacts of the infected patients, and none have shown symptoms; all tested negative for the virus. The Ministry of Health also warned against spreading rumors or inaccurate statistics, stating that enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations have helped contain the outbreak in time.
Pakistan Issues Border Alert
The Pakistani Health Ministry issued guidelines via its Border Health Services, citing suspected Nipah virus cases in West Bengal and warning of potential cross-border transmission. The advisory emphasized the need for heightened preventive and monitoring measures, including thermal screening and clinical assessments at airports. Staff have been instructed to closely monitor travelers for fever or respiratory symptoms. Any lapse in infection control is being treated as a “serious negligence.”
Regional Precautions in Asia
Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia have also implemented stricter airport screening measures, including temperature checks and other preventive protocols, to curb the virus’s spread. Historically, the Nipah virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1998–99, named after Kampung Sungai Nipah village, and later spread to Singapore, Bangladesh, and India. In Bangladesh, cases have appeared almost every winter since 2001, while Kerala, India, has reported multiple cases in the past.
Authorities continue to stress vigilance, early detection, and preventive measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further regional spread.
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