• An outbreak of the Nipah virus in India has prompted health alerts across Asia.
• Airports in Thailand, Nepal, and the UAE have enhanced screening measures for incoming passengers.
• The Nipah virus is zoonotic with a high fatality rate, raising concerns for public health safety.
• Despite the outbreak, the general risk to most travelers is currently considered low.
• Health officials stress that Nipah is not as easily transmissible as COVID-19.

A fresh outbreak of the Nipah virus in India's West Bengal and Kerala has sparked international concern, leading to heightened screening measures at airports across Asia. Authorities in Thailand, Nepal, and the UAE have intensified passenger screening protocols following reports of multiple confirmed cases and a rising number of quarantined close contacts in India. In West Bengal, five healthcare workers have contracted the virus, with over 100 individuals placed in quarantine as a precautionary measure, highlighting the urgency of the situation, according to Indiatimes and BBC.

As the outbreak unfolds, airports in Thailand have begun screening passengers arriving from India, particularly from Kolkata, where the virus was detected. Reports indicate that around 1,700 individuals have been screened with no positive cases identified thus far, allowing health officials to maintain that there is currently no evidence of Nipah virus transmission in the country. Thai health minister Pattana Promphat assured the public that the Nipah virus “is not transmitted during its incubation period,” unlike more contagious viruses such as COVID-19, according to Bangkok Post and BBC.

The Nipah virus is highly concerning due to its potential for high mortality rates, reported between 40% and 75%. As a zoonotic virus, it primarily spreads from infected animals to humans, with symptoms that can escalate to severe respiratory illness and neurological complications. The World Health Organization has classified Nipah as a priority pathogen, emphasizing the need for vigilant public health measures to prevent its spread, according to Indiatimes, BBC, and Bangkok Post.

Local authorities in India have established fever clinics at international airports to detect potential cases before travelers board flights. While no Nipah cases have been confirmed in the UAE, health officials have increased monitoring for arriving passengers from affected areas to ensure rapid identification and containment of any possible cases. The UAE's health system plans to manage risks proactively while maintaining open borders, according to Indiatimes.