India claims to have contained a Nipah virus outbreak, as some Asian countries enhance health screenings and airport surveillance for travelers from India. The Indian Health Ministry reported two Nipah cases since December, with all identified contacts quarantined and tested, and all results negative. The ministry refrained from disclosing patient details but assured that public health measures are in place. Nipah, a zoonotic virus identified in Malaysia during the 1990s, spreads through fruit bats, pigs, and human-to-human contact, causing severe symptoms like raging fevers, convulsions, and vomiting. With a high fatality rate of 40-75%, it's far more deadly than the coronavirus. Despite no reported cases outside India, several Asian countries have introduced or reinforced screening measures at airports as a precaution. Indonesia and Thailand increased screening at major airports, including health declarations, temperature checks, and visual monitoring. Thailand's Department of Disease Control installed thermal scanners at arrival gates for direct flights from West Bengal at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Myanmar's Health Ministry advised against nonessential travel to West Bengal and urged travelers to seek immediate medical care if symptoms develop within 14 days of travel. Vietnam's Health Ministry urged strict food safety practices and increased monitoring at border crossings, health facilities, and communities. China is strengthening disease prevention measures in border areas, conducting risk assessments, and enhancing medical staff training and testing capabilities. Previous Nipah outbreaks occurred in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007, with recent cases detected in Kerala. A major outbreak in 2018 in Kerala resulted in at least 17 deaths.
