An outbreak of the Nipah virus in India’s West Bengal state has raised concerns across parts of Asia, prompting some countries to tighten airport screening measures.
Thailand has begun screening passengers at three airports receiving flights from West Bengal, while Nepal has introduced screening for arrivals at Kathmandu’s airport and at land border crossings with India.
India’s health ministry said two cases have been confirmed in West Bengal since December, both involving health care workers. The ministry said 196 people who had contact with the patients have been traced and tested negative.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and has a high fatality rate of between 40% and 75%. There is no vaccine or specific treatment.
