Thailand Confirms No Nipah Virus Cases, Steps Up Traveller Screening

By Wilawan Watcharasakwet

BANGKOK, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has reaffirmed that no cases of Nipah virus disease have ever been recorded in the country, despite heightened concern over outbreaks overseas.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn said the disease remains classified as one of 13 dangerous communicable diseases under the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015), with no change to Thailand’s status.

He said the concern stems from outbreaks overseas, particularly in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal.

“Although these areas are geographically distant from Thailand, close monitoring is necessary due to direct flights arriving at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports,” he told reporters here on Monday.

Dr Sophon said the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has begun targeted screening of travellers on direct flights from affected areas since last weekend.

He said no infections have been detected so far but travellers showing symptoms consistent with a suspected case such as fever or respiratory symptoms and with a travel history to outbreak areas within the past 21 days will immediately undergo epidemiological investigations and laboratory testing. 

"Passengers arriving from high-risk areas are also required to complete documentation under the Communicable Diseases Act and contact the Disease Control hotline at 1422 should symptoms develop within 21 days of arrival," he said.

Thailand, said Dr Sophon, is fully prepared to respond and continues to closely monitor developments abroad, with the latest assessments showing that affected areas are able to contain the outbreaks and that there are no signs of sustained community or cross-border transmission.

“There are no warning signs in Thailand, and retrospective testing of encephalitis patients has found no evidence of Nipah virus infection,” he said, adding that the virus detected in bats in Thailand belongs to the Bangladesh strain.

He assessed the outbreak risk as being at a low-level yellow alert, noting that enhanced traveller safety measures are in place and a further risk assessment will be conducted within the next week.

-- BERNAMA