An outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus in India has prompted airports in Thailand, Nepal, Taiwan and Hong Kong to step up health screening. Find out what we know about the virus, the risks for tourists and travel safety measures

Several Asian countries are once again introducing enhanced medical checks at airports – this time due to the Nipah virus outbreak in India. After confirming cases in the Indian state of West Bengal, the authorities of Thailand, Nepal, Taiwan and Hong Kong have switched to scenarios familiar to the world since the Covid-19 pandemic: temperature screening, medical monitoring of passengers and increased preparedness of health systems.

We tell you everything we know about the dangerous Nipah virus in this article.

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Is a Nipah virus epidemic possible in 2026?

As of the end of January 2026, at least five cases of Nipah virus infection have been confirmed in West Bengal. All of them are linked to a single private hospital near Kolkata. Among the infected are medical staff: a doctor and several nurses. One of the patients is in critical condition, almost two hundred more are under medical supervision, and about a hundred are in quarantine.

Local authorities suggest that the initial infection may have occurred while caring for a patient with severe respiratory symptoms who died before laboratory tests were conducted. Epidemiologists are currently investigating the exact chain of transmission of the infection.

How has the threat of the Nipah virus epidemic already changed the world of travel?

Transport hubs in the Asian region were the first to react to the new threat, in particular, additional checks were introduced in a number of countries.

Thailand

In Thailand, enhanced health screening has been implemented at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports. Special attention is being paid to passengers arriving from West Bengal. They are being checked for fever, respiratory symptoms and general malaise. If infection is suspected, travelers may be referred to special quarantine centers for further examination.

In addition, information cards are being issued to passengers with recommendations on what to do if they develop symptoms upon arrival. Disinfection and medical readiness have also been increased at Phuket International Airport, as there are regular direct flights between Kolkata and Phuket.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the country has not yet recorded a single case of infection, but the public health system is operating on high alert, following the model developed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nepal

In Nepal, authorities have tightened controls not only at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu but also at key land border crossings with India. Particular attention is being paid to regions with active cross-border traffic, in particular the Koshi province. According to representatives of the Ministry of Health, individual checks have been introduced for travelers, and hospitals and border health posts are obliged to immediately report any suspicious cases.

Taiwan

Taiwan has gone even further: the local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to classify the Nipah virus as a fifth, the highest category of infections subject to mandatory reporting. This will mean immediate response, special control protocols and strict surveillance in case of detection of even isolated cases. For now, a “yellow” warning level for travelers remains for certain regions of India - travel is not prohibited, but increased caution is recommended.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has also resumed health screening for passengers arriving from India, activating early detection mechanisms for infectious diseases.

What is known about the Nipah virus and why is it feared?

Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection that is transmitted from animals to humans. The main natural reservoirs are fruit bats and pigs. Infection is possible through direct contact with animals, consumption of contaminated products - especially fruit or raw date palm sap - and during close contact with an infected person.

The incubation period is usually four to fourteen days. Initial symptoms are similar to the flu: high fever, headache, muscle pain, general weakness, vomiting and sore throat. In severe cases, the disease rapidly affects the central nervous system, causing encephalitis, seizures, impaired consciousness and coma within 24 to 48 hours.

The most alarming is the extremely high mortality rate – according to the World Health Organization, it ranges from 40% to 75% depending on the outbreak. At the same time, there is still no effective vaccine or specific treatment.

That is why the WHO has included the Nipah virus in the list of priority pathogens with high epidemic potential. The first outbreaks were recorded in 1999 in Malaysia, later in Bangladesh, India, Singapore and the Philippines. The largest number of cases and fatalities was recorded in Bangladesh.

Why is the risk of new outbreaks increasing?

Experts note that the increase in the number of zoonotic infections is directly related to active human intervention in wildlife, urbanization and climate change. In India, outbreaks of the Nipah virus have been recorded almost every year for the past two decades, and each new case is of serious concern to the international community.

Against this backdrop, airports in Asia are trying to act proactively to prevent the spread of infection through international travel. Authorities are urging travelers to be mindful of their health, follow basic hygiene rules, avoid contact with wild animals, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop after traveling to risk regions.

The world is closely monitoring the situation, as the history of Covid-19 has shown how quickly a local outbreak can escalate into a global crisis.

With outbreaks of dangerous viruses occurring in different countries around the world, health insurance is becoming especially important. A policy covering infectious diseases and quarantine costs protects travelers in the event of hospitalization, isolation, or cancellation of a trip due to medical emergencies. Take care of your protection before you travel – especially when traveling to regions with increased risks.

Reminder! AirlineRatings has published a ranking of the world's safest airlines for 2026. We have already told you who entered the top full-service and budget carriers, changes in positions and safety assessment criteria.

Photo - generated by Gemini

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