Post by : Meena Ariff

An outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus in India’s West Bengal state has raised alarm across parts of Asia, prompting several countries to tighten health screening measures at airports and border points as a precautionary step.

Health officials in West Bengal have confirmed that at least five healthcare workers were infected earlier this month after exposure at a private hospital in Barasat, located near Kolkata. One of the infected workers is reported to be in a very critical condition, while others are undergoing treatment under strict medical supervision. Authorities have identified and quarantined around 110 people who came into close contact with the infected individuals in an effort to stop further transmission.

Nipah virus is a highly dangerous zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans, most commonly through fruit bats or pigs. The virus can also spread between humans through close contact or contaminated food. Due to its extremely high fatality rate — estimated between 40% and 75% — and the absence of any approved vaccine or specific treatment, health experts consider Nipah one of the most serious emerging infectious threats.

The World Health Organization has placed Nipah on its list of top priority diseases because of its ability to cause sudden outbreaks with severe consequences. The incubation period of the virus usually ranges from four to 14 days. Symptoms vary widely, with some infected individuals showing no signs initially, while others develop fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat. In more severe cases, patients may suffer from pneumonia, altered consciousness, and encephalitis — a potentially fatal inflammation of the brain.

Although no cases have been reported outside India so far, neighboring and regional countries have moved quickly to strengthen preventive measures. Thailand has begun screening passengers arriving from West Bengal at three international airports in Bangkok and Phuket. Travelers from affected flights are being asked to submit health declarations, and additional monitoring has been introduced at popular tourist destinations, including national parks and wildlife areas.

Nepal has also stepped up surveillance, initiating health checks at Kathmandu’s international airport and several land border crossings with India. Meanwhile, health authorities in Taiwan have proposed classifying Nipah as a “Category 5 disease,” a designation reserved for rare or emerging infections that pose major public health risks and require immediate reporting and strict control measures.

Nipah virus outbreaks are not new to the region. The virus was first identified in 1998 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia, which resulted in more than 100 deaths and the culling of over a million pigs to contain the spread. Bangladesh has experienced repeated outbreaks since 2001, leading to more than 100 deaths. In India, previous outbreaks were recorded in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007, and in Kerala, where the virus caused multiple fatalities in recent years.

Health authorities continue to stress that while the situation is being closely monitored, there is no need for panic. Officials are urging the public to remain vigilant, follow health advisories, report symptoms early, and avoid unnecessary exposure, as containment efforts remain underway to prevent any wider spread of the virus.

#Global News