Airports across Asia have increased health screening after a Nipah Virus outbreak in India. Health authorities in the UAE have urged travellers to stay cautious.
The outbreak has been reported in West Bengal, where five cases of the Nipah Virus were confirmed. Around 100 people have been quarantined, including three nurses at a private hospital in Barasat near Kolkata. Authorities suspect the infection may have spread through contaminated food.
The Nipah Virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. It attacks the brain and brainstem and can also harm the lungs and nervous system. The World Health Organization estimates a fatality rate of 40–75% among infected individuals.
Dr Sagar Kawale, consultant neurologist at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital in Dubai, emphasized that the risk for most travellers is low. “Unless you are in close contact with an infected person or in high-risk areas such as hospitals, the likelihood of infection is minimal,” he said.
Early symptoms of the Nipah Virus resemble common viral infections, including fever, headache, and body aches. Neurological warning signs such as confusion, unusual behavior, excessive sleepiness, seizures, or difficulty speaking require urgent medical attention.
Travellers are advised to avoid close contact with sick individuals, practice good hand hygiene, and avoid consuming potentially contaminated fruits. Healthcare workers should use strict protective measures, including masks and gloves. Visitors to hospitals should do so only when necessary.
Dr Kawale added, “If illness develops, seek immediate medical care, avoid travel, and inform doctors about potential exposure to the Nipah Virus.”
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Although rare, awareness of the Nipah Virus is critical. Fever accompanied by confusion, drowsiness, or seizures should prompt urgent evaluation to prevent severe complications.
