Health authorities across Asia are tightening airport and border checks after India confirmed two Nipah virus infections in West Bengal, raising fresh concern about a rare disease with a high fatality rate but limited human to human spread.
The two patients, both health workers were diagnosed in late December and are being treated in hospital.
India’s health ministry said 196 contacts had been traced, monitored and tested, with all returning negative results and none reporting symptoms.
Singapore and Hong Kong have moved to temperature screening for some arrivals from affected areas, while Thailand has introduced extra controls that include designated parking bays for flights linked to risk areas and mandatory health declarations before passengers clear immigration.
Malaysia has also boosted screening at international points of entry, particularly for arrivals from countries considered at risk and Nepal says it is on high alert at crossings with India.
On January 29, Pakistan joined the list ordering thermal screening and clinical assessment at airports, land borders and seaports and asking travellers to provide a 21 day transit history to flag time spent in high risk regions.
Vietnam has also directed screening of incoming passengers at its capital’s airport, particularly those arriving from India and West Bengal while Indonesia has also tightened airport checks.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus that is primarily associated with fruit bats and in some outbreaks, pigs.
It can cause symptoms of fever and headache, which can develop into severe respiratory disease and encephalitis.
According to the World Health Organization, the case fatality ratio is 40 to 75%, depending on the ability to detect and treat infections in the community.
The number of cases in an outbreak is typically small because the virus is not easily transmissible from person to person, unless it is in close, prolonged contact. Scientists also point out that screening at airports may not be effective because the incubation period can last for several weeks.
Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment available although several vaccines are in the trial stage.
Health centres advised that Nipah is a disease that a traveler should be aware of in Asia and they should follow local health advice and practice good hygiene.
