Nipah Virus Outbreak: Why Airports Across Asia Have Restarted Covid-Like Screening?

Major airports across Asia are stepping up health checks after fresh Nipah virus cases were confirmed in India. Screening has been reintroduced in a way similar to Covid-era checks, with particular focus on travellers linked to West Bengal, where multiple infections have been reported among healthcare workers.

Authorities in countries such as Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan are on alert and have increased monitoring of passengers. Flyers coming from affected areas are being screened for fever and other possible Nipah symptoms, as governments try to stop any cross-border spread at an early stage.

Nipah Virus Outbreak airport checks and Asian screening measures

In Thailand, extra surveillance is taking place at key international hubs, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports. Health teams are checking arriving passengers from West Bengal for raised temperature and visible illness. Officials are also handing out health advisory cards to inform travellers about the virus and what to do if they feel unwell.

Nipah Virus Outbreak cases, quarantine and transmission risk

Nearly 100 people have been placed under quarantine in West Bengal after the virus was detected in a hospital. A doctor, a nurse and another staff member tested positive during screening. These infections followed two earlier Nipah cases among healthcare workers from the same district, prompting tighter controls on hospital staff and visitors.

Health experts say Nipah is a contagious virus that can spread from animals and between people. Bats and pigs are seen as important animal hosts, but human-to-human transmission can occur through close contact. Because of this, Asian authorities are combining airport checks, hospital surveillance and quarantine steps as they track the Nipah virus outbreak linked to India.