Bangkok: Pattana Promphat, the Minister of Public Health, has announced that the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Transport to implement stringent measures to control the Nipah virus outbreak, with a specific focus on airport screenings.
According to Thai News Agency, Pattana confirmed that 1,700 travelers from West Bengal have been screened at Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and Phuket airports, and no infections have been detected in Thailand. He highlighted that the Nipah virus is more challenging to transmit than COVID-19 and does not spread during its incubation period. Testing teams have been deployed at airports since January 24th, ensuring passengers from West Bengal, Kolkata, India, are screened thoroughly. Approximately 700 passengers arrive daily from these locations, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, has instructed airports to enhance screening procedures. The Department of Medical Sciences is equipped to quarantine and test suspected cases within eight hours.
Pattana emphasized that the Nipah virus spreads differently from COVID-19, as it cannot be transmitted asymptomatically. Even if an infected individual is found on a flight, the risk of transmission to other passengers is low during the incubation period. The Ministry of Public Health has been actively monitoring the situation and confirmed that no cases have been reported in Thailand, where the virus has historically never been detected.
Addressing concerns raised by villagers in Chonburi province about fruit bats, Pattana acknowledged that fruit bats are carriers but assured that no infections have been found in the country. The monitoring and surveillance of potential cases are ongoing, with the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control expected to report findings to the Ministry of Public Health soon.
Regarding the possibility of the virus mutating, Pattana stated that it has not reached that stage yet. He urged the public, particularly those in high-risk groups who have traveled to West Bengal, to remain vigilant and report any flu-like symptoms to the Ministry of Public Health. However, he advised that those at high risk should simply continue to monitor their symptoms.