Daijiworld Media Network - Bangkok

Bangkok, Jan 25: Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health on Sunday began screening air passengers arriving from India for possible Nipah virus (NiV) infection following reports of cases in West Bengal.

Screening is being conducted at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, with a special focus on travellers arriving from West Bengal. Authorities said passengers and concerned agencies have been fully cooperative during the process.

As part of preventive measures, the ministry has also issued a “Health Beware Card” to travellers arriving from identified risk areas. The card advises passengers to immediately seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, cough, breathing difficulty, drowsiness, confusion or seizures.

Travellers are particularly urged to remain vigilant if they had contact with bats, sick animals or a confirmed Nipah patient within 21 days prior to arriving in Thailand. Those experiencing symptoms have been asked to clearly inform medical staff about their travel history, possible exposure and the date of onset of symptoms. The Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422 has also been made available for assistance.

The Nipah virus is closely monitored globally due to its high fatality rate and outbreak potential. The World Health Organization has listed NiV among priority pathogens under its R&D Blueprint for diseases with epidemic risk.

According to the WHO, Nipah virus infection can range from mild illness to severe respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis. The estimated case fatality rate varies between 40 and 75 per cent, depending on the outbreak situation and the capacity of healthcare systems.