COVID-style health checks have returned at several Asian airports, but this time, the concern is the Nipah virus, not COVID-19. After fresh Nipah cases were reported in West Bengal, India, countries like Thailand and Nepal have tightened airport health screenings, including fever checks and quarantine protocols for high-risk travellers.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals such as bats and pigs to humans, and in some cases, between people. While early symptoms may resemble a common viral infection, severe cases can lead to respiratory distress and brain inflammation. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah, which is why health authorities are acting with caution.
According to the Indian government, only two confirmed cases have been reported so far in West Bengal, all contacts have tested negative, and the situation remains under control. The WHO classifies Nipah as a priority pathogen due to its high fatality rate, making early surveillance and airport screening critical to preventing wider outbreaks.
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