Thailand has reported no cases of Nipah virus infection but has heightened disease surveillance following a recent outbreak in India, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said late Friday.
According to the DDC, five Nipah virus cases have been confirmed in India, three of which were detected earlier this week. The situation has prompted authorities in Thailand to closely monitor potential cross-border health risks.
“Indian authorities speed up implementing disease control measures. Quarantine and follow-ups are imposed on more than 180 people in the state of West Bengal and surveillance is intensified,” said Dr Montien Kanhaswad, director-general of the department.
Dr Montien said Thailand has strengthened screening procedures for travelers, noting that individuals arriving with high fever or symptoms consistent with Nipah virus infection will be assessed at quarantine facilities and managed under strict protocols.
“Nipah virus infection is transmitted from animal to human and is highly severe. It can cause neurological symptoms and its fatality rate is quite high,” Dr Montien said.
“Infected people may not have any symptom or may develop acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis. Patients usually start with fever, headache, muscle ache, vomiting and sore throat before developing neurological symptoms like sleepiness, altered consciousness and acute encephalitis.
“Some cases may have lung inflammation and severe respiratory failure. Severe cases may develop seizure and go into a coma in 24-48 hours,” he said.
Health officials said most patients who survive acute encephalitis recover fully, though approximately 20% may suffer long-term neurological complications, including seizure disorders and personality changes.
The virus can spread through several transmission routes. Animal-to-human infection occurs via direct contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, faeces or blood from infected animals, particularly fruit bats and pigs.
Transmission may also occur through contaminated food, including fruit partially eaten by bats or coconut sap and dates tainted with bat urine or droppings.
Human-to-human transmission is possible through close contact with bodily fluids, such as saliva or phlegm, with caregivers and healthcare workers accounting for most cases.
Dr Direk Khampaen, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the incubation period typically ranges from four to 14 days but may extend up to 45 days in rare cases.
To minimise infection risk, Dr Direk urged the public to wash hands regularly with soap and water after handling animals, entering high-risk environments such as forests, or collecting bat droppings.
He also advised avoiding fruit showing bite marks or those fallen on the ground, and washing all produce thoroughly before consumption.
He further warned against touching sick animals, including bats and pigs, and stressed the importance of promptly reporting unexplained animal deaths. The public was also advised to consume only cooked food and avoid drinking juice made from freshly harvested fruit.
Anyone experiencing symptoms after visiting high-risk areas, trekking in forests, or handling bat droppings should seek medical care immediately, Dr Direk said.
