Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – In light of the recent outbreak of Nipah virus in West Bengal, India, with a high fatality rate, Thai authorities are comprehensively strengthening disease control measures at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Phuket international airports, focusing on screening arriving passengers from the region to prevent the importation of the virus.
According to a report by the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Bangkok, the Thai Disease Control Bureau (DDC) issued a notice on the 25th stating that international infectious disease control personnel at the three major international airports have initiated enhanced screening efforts, focusing on arriving passengers from West Bengal, India, to strengthen the epidemic prevention and control defenses.
This screening mainly includes temperature checks. Control personnel will conduct on-site assessments of arriving passengers exhibiting suspected symptoms. Passengers with high fever or suspected Nipah virus infection symptoms will be strictly transported to designated isolation facilities for further examination according to established procedures to ensure early detection and treatment.
For passengers from West Bengal, Thai authorities will also issue a "Health Warning Card," which details the key symptoms to watch for in Nipah virus and the correct measures to take if feeling unwell. Common symptoms of Nipah virus infection include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, confusion, and seizures.
The notice clarifies that travelers arriving in Thailand who develop any of the above-mentioned suspected symptoms within 21 days should immediately seek medical attention and proactively inform healthcare professionals of their travel history and the onset of symptoms. Those feeling unwell can report their symptoms by calling the Thai Disease Control Department's hotline 1422 (operating daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM) or by scanning the QR code on the Health Alert Card.
Furthermore, the Thai Disease Control Department has issued specific travel guidelines for Thai citizens planning to travel to India for tourism or pilgrimage: It recommends closely monitoring official health information and avoiding unnecessary travel to areas with outbreaks; during travel, take preventative measures, avoid contact with animals that may carry or transmit Nipah virus, thoroughly wash fruit before consumption, and wash hands with soap after contact with animals, meat, or animal carcasses (especially bats, pigs, and horses).
The guidelines also remind citizens returning to Thailand from India that if they experience fever, headache, fatigue, cough, or other neurological symptoms, they should immediately seek medical attention to prevent the spread of the epidemic. (End)
