Argus News - Neighbours on High Alert, Step Up Airport Screening after India Confirms Nipah Infections

New Delhi, Jan 29: Authorities in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia have stepped up airport screening in an effort to prevent the infection from spreading after India reported two cases of the deadly Nipah virus.

Fruit bats and animals such as pigs carry this virus. Infected individuals reportedly experience fever and brain inflammation.  The virus has a fatality rate of between 40 per cent and 75 per cent. Despite the fact that it can spread from person to person, transmission typically requires prolonged ‍contact with ⁠an infected individual.

The deadly virus more commonly spreads from infected bats, or fruits contaminated by the creatures.

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India confirmed the virus infections in late December. According to experts, general population face relatively low risk as far as small-scale outbreaks, which are not unusual, are concerned. Vaccines for the deadly virus are still undergoing testing.

Both the infected individuals in India belong to West Bengal. They were said to be health workers and are undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The Indian health ministry, in a statement, said that after the infected individuals were identified, authorities traced 196 contacts linked to the two cases. However, none from the traced individuals were showing any symptom with everyone being tested negative for the virus.

“Speculative and incorrect figures regarding Nipah virus disease cases are being ‌circulated,” the statement reads. “Enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations were undertaken ... which ensured timely containment of the cases,” the statement reads further.

Efstathios Giotis, lecturer in molecular virology at the University of Essex in Britain, said: “While vigilance is warranted, there is no evidence to suggest a broader public health threat at this stage.”

Neighbouring Nations on High Alert

Following the reports of infected individuals, authorities in neighbouring Southeast Asian nations as well as Nepal and Hong Kong were put on high alert.

Latest development saw Communicable Diseases ‌Agency (CDA) in Singapore has confirmed their plans to set up temperature screening at the airport, only for the flights arriving from infection-affected areas in India.

The CDA, in a statement, also said that they are “reaching out” to their counterparts in South Asia, to better understand the current ​situation. “Work is ‌ongoing to establish a global platform for countries to report genome sequencing of detected cases,” the statement reads further.

Similarly, Hong Kong International Airport has also facilitated enhanced health screening measures, including temperature check at gates for passengers arriving from India, while Thailand and Malaysia too followed the suit tightening airport screening measures. Malaysia was also boosting preparedness through health screening at international ports of entry.

According to reports, designated parking bays have been assigned in Thailand for aircraft arriving from Nipah-infected areas. Their health ministry said that those passengers must complete health declarations before clearing immigration.

China’s broadcaster CCTV said that, according to their disease control authority, the country is yet to detect any Nipah infection.

Nepal was also on “high alert” and ‍had ‍tightened screening for travellers as the country shares a busy border with India.

About Nipah Virus

The virus was first identified just over 25 years ago during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore. However, scientists believe it has circulated in flying foxes, or fruit bats, for thousands of years.

Nipah has been classified as a ‍priority pathogen by the WHO (World Health Organisation) considering there are no licensed vaccines or treatments. Its high fatality rate has also been taken into account along with the fear that the virus could mutate and become more transmissible.

Sporadic infections have been reported in India, particularly in Kerala, that is regarded as one of the world’s highest-risk regions for the virus. Since its emergence in Kerala in 2018, Nipah has been linked to dozens of deaths in the southern state. Bangladesh also reports cases regularly.

There have been 750 confirmed Nipah infections globally as of December 2025. According to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the numbers include 415 deaths. CEPI is funding a vaccine trial to help stop the virus.

According to local media reports, the current cases of infections in West Bengal are the state’s first in nearly two decades since the five fatal infections in 2007.