Airports across parts of Asia have reportedly introduced Covid-like screening measures to check travellers for the Nipah virus following reports of cases in West Bengal.
According to The Independent, countries including Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan have begun airport checks for passengers arriving from the region.
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority has reportedly announced that comprehensive screening will be implemented for all flights arriving from West Bengal—considered a high-risk area—starting 00:00 local time on Monday, to prevent the virus from entering the country. The authority reportedly said the measures would be adjusted dynamically based on the evolving situation.
Under the current protocol, airlines are conducting preliminary health checks at departure points. Passengers showing symptoms requiring further evaluation must present medical certificates before boarding and follow public health guidelines during the flight.
On arrival in Thailand, travellers will undergo temperature screening and be required to submit health declaration forms. Dedicated screening stations have been set up in jet bridge areas at designated airports.
Thai media reports said direct flights operate between Kolkata and three major Thai airports—Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket—where screening measures are already in place.
However, former West Bengal Health Advisor and infectious disease specialist Dr Sayan Chakraborty on Monday said only two confirmed cases have been reported so far, dismissing claims of a wider outbreak.
Speaking to ANI, Dr Chakraborty said, “We received an update an hour ago. There are only two confirmed cases. Some reports claimed five cases, but that is not true. A few suspected cases were admitted to Beleghata ID Hospital, but their test results came back negative and they have all been discharged. No other cases have been found.”
He added that while there were initial concerns about a possible rise in infections, the situation has remained stable.
“Earlier, it seemed cases might increase, but that hasn’t happened. The government has done a good job. Contact tracing, quarantine and testing have been carried out properly. The earlier panic has subsided, and people have followed the advised precautions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Subarna Goswami, Deputy Assistant Director of Health Services and Superintendent of Darjeeling TB Hospital, said nearly 190 contacts linked to the confirmed cases have been identified and quarantined.
“So far, only two patients have tested positive. Around 190 contacts have been quarantined, and symptomatic individuals have been tested. All test results have come back negative, meaning no additional cases have been detected,” he said.
Dr Goswami cautioned against declaring the outbreak over, citing the virus’s long incubation period.
“It is too early to say the outbreak has ended. The incubation period of Nipah ranges from four to 45 days. Active case search and close monitoring of contacts are essential. Only after about three months, if no new cases emerge, can we conclude the outbreak is over,” he said.
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. Transmission can also occur through contaminated food or direct human-to-human contact. Infection ranges from asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus also affects animals such as pigs, causing major economic losses.
Though outbreaks have been limited, Nipah infects multiple animal species and causes severe disease in humans, making it a significant public health concern.
The virus was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia. No new outbreaks have been reported there since.
Nipah has a much higher fatality rate than COVID-19. Describing its progression, Dr Chakraborty said, “Patients experience severe headache and body pain, along with throat pain and cough. The cough can progress to pneumonia, leading to breathing difficulty. Gradually, the infection spreads to the brain, and the patient may slip into a coma.”
Earlier, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, former president of IMA Cochin and convener of its research cell, warned that Nipah spreads from bats to humans and can cause severe illness with a high death rate. He stressed that early detection is critical to prevent further spread.
Dr Jayadevan also noted that there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for Nipah, making supportive care, surveillance and contact tracing essential to containing the virus.
According to The Independent, countries including Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan have begun airport checks for passengers arriving from the region.
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority has reportedly announced that comprehensive screening will be implemented for all flights arriving from West Bengal—considered a high-risk area—starting 00:00 local time on Monday, to prevent the virus from entering the country. The authority reportedly said the measures would be adjusted dynamically based on the evolving situation.
Under the current protocol, airlines are conducting preliminary health checks at departure points. Passengers showing symptoms requiring further evaluation must present medical certificates before boarding and follow public health guidelines during the flight.
On arrival in Thailand, travellers will undergo temperature screening and be required to submit health declaration forms. Dedicated screening stations have been set up in jet bridge areas at designated airports.
Thai media reports said direct flights operate between Kolkata and three major Thai airports—Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket—where screening measures are already in place.
However, former West Bengal Health Advisor and infectious disease specialist Dr Sayan Chakraborty on Monday said only two confirmed cases have been reported so far, dismissing claims of a wider outbreak.
Speaking to ANI, Dr Chakraborty said, “We received an update an hour ago. There are only two confirmed cases. Some reports claimed five cases, but that is not true. A few suspected cases were admitted to Beleghata ID Hospital, but their test results came back negative and they have all been discharged. No other cases have been found.”
He added that while there were initial concerns about a possible rise in infections, the situation has remained stable.
“Earlier, it seemed cases might increase, but that hasn’t happened. The government has done a good job. Contact tracing, quarantine and testing have been carried out properly. The earlier panic has subsided, and people have followed the advised precautions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Subarna Goswami, Deputy Assistant Director of Health Services and Superintendent of Darjeeling TB Hospital, said nearly 190 contacts linked to the confirmed cases have been identified and quarantined.
“So far, only two patients have tested positive. Around 190 contacts have been quarantined, and symptomatic individuals have been tested. All test results have come back negative, meaning no additional cases have been detected,” he said.
Dr Goswami cautioned against declaring the outbreak over, citing the virus’s long incubation period.
“It is too early to say the outbreak has ended. The incubation period of Nipah ranges from four to 45 days. Active case search and close monitoring of contacts are essential. Only after about three months, if no new cases emerge, can we conclude the outbreak is over,” he said.
Nipah virus symptoms
According to the World Health Organization and other health agencies, the Nipah virus primarily affects the lungs and brain. Symptoms include fever, headache, drowsiness, confusion and coma, with a mortality rate exceeding 40 per cent.Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. Transmission can also occur through contaminated food or direct human-to-human contact. Infection ranges from asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus also affects animals such as pigs, causing major economic losses.
Though outbreaks have been limited, Nipah infects multiple animal species and causes severe disease in humans, making it a significant public health concern.
The virus was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia. No new outbreaks have been reported there since.
Nipah has a much higher fatality rate than COVID-19. Describing its progression, Dr Chakraborty said, “Patients experience severe headache and body pain, along with throat pain and cough. The cough can progress to pneumonia, leading to breathing difficulty. Gradually, the infection spreads to the brain, and the patient may slip into a coma.”
Earlier, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, former president of IMA Cochin and convener of its research cell, warned that Nipah spreads from bats to humans and can cause severe illness with a high death rate. He stressed that early detection is critical to prevent further spread.
Dr Jayadevan also noted that there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for Nipah, making supportive care, surveillance and contact tracing essential to containing the virus.
