Two Nipah virus cases confirmed in India, Asian airports tighten health checks

Airports across several Asian countries have stepped up health surveillance following the confirmation of Nipah virus infections in India, prompting renewed regional vigilance. Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan have reintroduced Covid-era-style screening measures, including passenger monitoring and symptom surveillance for travellers arriving from India.

The outbreak has also garnered attention in China ahead of the Lunar New Year travel rush, when millions are expected to travel domestically and internationally. While Chinese health experts have said the virus is unlikely to spread widely, concerns remain because of Nipah’s high fatality rate.

In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has confirmed two cases of Nipah virus disease (NiVD) in West Bengal since December. The ministry said initial reports suggesting five cases, all involving healthcare workers, were speculative and incorrect.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has traced 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases, all of whom have been declared asymptomatic. Following confirmation, the Centre, in coordination with the West Bengal government, initiated public health measures in line with established protocols, officials said.

Health experts have warned that the Nipah virus has a mortality rate ranging from 40 to 75 per cent and that there is no approved vaccine or targeted treatment. “Nipah virus is highly infectious and fatal. Patients either develop symptoms of encephalitis or severe respiratory disease, and the mortality rate is extremely high,” an expert said.

Treatment remains largely supportive, with monoclonal antibodies available only in limited quantities. Indian authorities are working to secure adequate supplies amid global shortages.

Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can be transmitted from animals such as fruit bats and pigs to humans, and also spreads through close human-to-human contact. Infection may occur through contaminated food, including fruit or raw date palm sap exposed to bat saliva or urine.

Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain and fatigue, while severe cases can progress to respiratory distress, pneumonia and encephalitis. The incubation period ranges from four to 21 days.

Thailand has intensified surveillance at major airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket, where travellers arriving from West Bengal are being screened for fever and Nipah-related symptoms. Health advisory cards are also being distributed at entry points.

As per the reports, Nepal has strengthened health checks at Tribhuvan International Airport and key land border crossings with India, instructing hospitals and border health desks to identify and report suspected cases promptly.

In Taiwan, authorities are reportedly moving to classify Nipah virus infection as a Category 5 notifiable disease, which would require immediate reporting and strict containment measures. A Level-2 travel alert remains in place for India’s Kerala state.

(with inputs from sydicate feed)