(Thailand, 26th) Following the emergence of a potentially fatal Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India, several major airports in Thailand have ramped up disease control measures and are screening travelers arriving from West Bengal.
According to the Bangkok Post, the Thai Disease Control Department announced on Sunday (January 25) that Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, and Phuket Airport have started strengthening infectious disease screening for arriving travelers, especially those coming from West Bengal.
The screening procedures include temperature checks and on-site assessment for symptomatic travelers. According to the statement, travelers with high fever or suspected infection symptoms will be transferred to designated areas for further examination in accordance with established procedures.
The Thai government has also issued a travel advisory, reminding Thai citizens planning to visit India to take additional precautionary measures.
Travelers from West Bengal will also receive a health alert card listing symptoms to watch for and measures to take should they feel unwell.
West Bengal has recently reported five confirmed Nipah virus infection cases, with around 100 people placed under isolation.
According to the World Health Organization, Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, with fruit bats as its natural hosts.
Nipah virus can be transmitted from animals to humans, via contaminated food, or directly from person to person.
Clinical manifestations of Nipah virus infection range from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis. Currently, there are no therapies or vaccines available for humans or animals; supportive care is the main treatment for humans.
The screening procedures include temperature checks and on-site assessment for symptomatic travelers. According to the statement, travelers with high fever or suspected infection symptoms will be transferred to designated areas for further examination in accordance with established procedures.
The Thai government has also issued a travel advisory, reminding Thai citizens planning to visit India to take additional precautionary measures.
Travelers from West Bengal will also receive a health alert card listing symptoms to watch for and measures to take should they feel unwell.
West Bengal has recently reported five confirmed Nipah virus infection cases, with around 100 people placed under isolation.
According to the World Health Organization, Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, with fruit bats as its natural hosts.
Nipah virus can be transmitted from animals to humans, via contaminated food, or directly from person to person.
Clinical manifestations of Nipah virus infection range from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis. Currently, there are no therapies or vaccines available for humans or animals; supportive care is the main treatment for humans.