India authorities have sought to calm regional concerns after declaring that a recent outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus has been brought under control.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said late Tuesday that “timely containment” measures were put in place after two confirmed cases were detected in the eastern state of West Bengal. The announcement came as several Asian countries introduced additional screening for travellers arriving from India.
Contacts Traced and Tests Return Negative
Health officials said 196 people linked to the confirmed cases were identified, traced, monitored and tested for the virus, with all results coming back negative.
The ministry said the clarification was issued to counter what it described as inaccurate and speculative reporting in parts of the media.
“The situation is under constant monitoring, and all necessary public health measures are in place,” the statement said, adding that enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing and field investigations are ongoing.
About the Nipah Virus
Nipah is a zoonotic virus that spreads through fruit bats, pigs and direct human-to-human transmission. First identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in the late 1990s, the virus has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
According to the World Health Organization, Nipah has a fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 percent, making it significantly more lethal than many other infectious diseases. Treatment is limited to supportive care aimed at managing symptoms and complications.
Regional Precautions Intensify
Despite India’s assurances, several countries across Asia have moved quickly to strengthen health checks at borders and airports.
China said it was reinforcing disease prevention measures in border regions, with state media reporting risk assessments and specialised training for medical staff.
Indonesia and Thailand have expanded airport screening, introducing health declarations, temperature checks and visual monitoring of passengers arriving from India.
Myanmar’s Ministry of Health advised against nonessential travel to West Bengal and said airport fever surveillance introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic had been intensified.
Vietnam has instructed local authorities to increase monitoring at border crossings, healthcare facilities and communities, while Malaysia said it would implement health screening at international entry points.
History of Nipah in the Region
The first known human cases of Nipah were recorded in 1998, when pig farmers and butchers in Malaysia and Singapore were infected through contact with diseased pigs, leading to more than 100 deaths.
Since then, outbreaks have been reported in Bangladesh, the Philippines and India. In India, the southern state of Kerala has detected Nipah cases almost every year since 2018, underscoring the virus’s persistent threat.