Here we go again.
Airports across Asia are starting to screen passengers for yet another potentially fatal virus.
After Covid and Monkeypox meet Nipah virus.
Nipah virus is a bat-borne, zoonotic virus that causes Nipah virus infection in humans and other animals, a disease with a very high mortality rate.
Numerous disease outbreaks caused by Nipah virus have occurred in south-east Africa and south-east Asia.
Nipah virus belongs to the genus Henipavirus along with the Hendra virus, which has also caused disease outbreaks
Authorities in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia have stepped up airport screening in an effort to prevent the infection from spreading, news hub Travel Mole reports.
The virus, which is carried by fruit bats and animals such as pigs, can cause fever and brain inflammation and has a fatality rate of between 40% and 75%.
In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health acknowledged heightened concern over Nipah virus and said passenger checks will take place at Thailand airports.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn said Nipah is classified as a dangerous communicable disease.
Outbreaks have so far centred on Bangladesh and West Bengal in India.
“Although these areas are geographically distant from Thailand, close monitoring is necessary due to direct flights arriving at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports,” he said.
No confirmed infections have been detected yet.
Image: Edward Ortiz, Scop.io
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