An outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus in India's West Bengal state has sparked concern in parts of Asia, with some tightening screening measures at airports.
Thailand has started screening passengers at three airports that receive flights from West Bengal. Nepal has also begun screening arrivals at Kathmandu airport and other land border points with India.
Five healthcare workers in West Bengal were infected by the virus early this month, one of whom is in a critical condition. Some 110 people who were in contact with them have been quarantined.
The virus can spread from animals to humans and has a high mortality rate, ranging from 40% to 75%, as there is no vaccine or treatment available.
What is the Nipah virus and what are its symptoms?
The Nipah virus can be transmitted from animals, like pigs and fruit bats, to humans and can also spread person-to-person through contaminated food. The World Health Organization has described Nipah as one of its top ten priority diseases, ranking it alongside Covid-19 and Zika due to its potential to trigger an epidemic.
The virus has an incubation period of four to 14 days, and initial symptoms may include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat. In severe cases, encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, can occur, leading to death.
Where were the past outbreaks?
The first recognized Nipah outbreak was in 1998 among pig farmers in Malaysia. Subsequent outbreaks have been reported in Bangladesh, India, and most recently in Kerala. The disease has consistently resulted in high fatality rates and significant economic impacts on affected communities.
What is happening now?
As of last week, at least five confirmed cases were reported, all linked to a private hospital in Barasat, with health authorities in neighboring countries taking precautions. Thailand has initiated health screenings for passengers from affected regions, and Nepal has ramped up checks at various border points.
Health officials in Taiwan have proposed to categorize the Nipah virus as a Category 5 disease, highlighting its public health risks.
Additional reporting by BBC Thai
