Nipah virus in India: Several Asian countries tighten precautionary measures increase screening, surveillance at airports
Islamabad: After confirmed cases of the deadly Nipah virus emerged in India, several Asian countries have tightened precautionary measures and increased screening and surveillance at airports.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in view of the fear of the spread of the virus in the region, various countries have set up special checkpoints for travellers coming from India.
According to the American journal Washington Post, the US Centre for Disease Control has issued a warning that the mortality rate from Nipah virus is between 40 and 70 percent, while the World Health Organization has called Nipah a dangerous virus and has emphasized urgent research and strict surveillance.
Thailand has started screening at airports for travellers coming from India, while Taiwan’s Centre for Disease Control has declared Nipah virus a Category 5 threat.
According to the British newspaper, The Telegraph, screening has also been started for Indian travellers in the UK, Nepal, Thailand, Taiwan and Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, according to The Independent, China, Myanmar, Indonesia and Vietnam have also expressed reservations about traveling to India.
Health experts say that the Nipah virus surveillance system in India is ineffective and uncoordinated, with the lack of surveillance particularly worrying in rural and border areas.
