Several neighboring countries have ramped up health screenings following reports from Indian officials of five confirmed cases of a lethal, currently incurable virus detected near one of the nation’s largest urban centers, sparking intensified containment efforts, according to various media outlets.
The outbreak involves the bat-borne Nipah virus, which has emerged in the Indian state of West Bengal—close to Kolkata, the country’s third-largest city—prompting swift contact tracing and quarantine protocols. Officials quoted by the Press Trust of India confirmed three additional infections this week, as reported by the Daily Mail.
China added Nipah virus disease to its updated roster of nationally monitored infectious diseases on December 30, 2024. This update was jointly issued by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and the General Administration of Customs and includes illnesses such as COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, according to an official notice posted on the Chinese government’s website.
According to information from the Xinhua News Agency on Monday, global health authorities including the World Health Organization (WHO) note that the Nipah virus mainly affects the respiratory system and brain. Symptoms range from fever and headaches to drowsiness, disorientation, and coma. The fatality rate exceeds 40 percent among those infected.
Two nurses are among the reported cases, underscoring concerns about hospital-acquired transmission, The Independent noted earlier.
Feng Zijian, former deputy head of the Chinese CDC, warned that the virus could potentially spread via exposure to bodily fluids such as saliva or waste from infected individuals. He emphasized the risks of both nosocomial (hospital-based) and intra-household transmission.
Despite its high virulence, Zhuang Shilihe, a medical expert based in Guangzhou, pointed out that the Nipah virus does not transmit easily between humans. His assessment is based on observations from past localized outbreaks across the globe, he told the Global Times.
Zhuang added that border control authorities in China may enhance preventive measures for travelers arriving from India, with appropriate protocols being evaluated and implemented accordingly.
In response to the outbreak, Thailand has bolstered health inspections at key airports for passengers originating from West Bengal. As of January 25, enhanced screening procedures were underway at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang international airports, with smooth coordination involving airlines, airport authorities, immigration officers, and related agencies, reported Khaosod English, citing the PR Thai Government.
Meanwhile, Phuket International Airport has reinforced its readiness by upgrading surveillance and monitoring systems specifically for flights connected to the impacted Indian region. Screening efforts there have been synchronized with Thailand’s International Communicable Disease Control Checkpoints to mitigate cross-border viral transmission risks.
South Korea had previously categorized Nipah virus infection as a Tier 1 infectious disease—the highest alert level reserved for rapidly spreading, fatal pathogens requiring mandatory reporting and isolation protocols—according to The Korea Herald.
