Credit: Suvarnabhumi Airport via Facebook & Adobe Stock
Symptoms Of Deadly Virus With No Cure And ‘Epidemic Potential’ As Airports Introduce Covid-Style Checks
A deadly virus for which there is no cure has broken out with ‘epidemic potential,’ as airports across the world introduce new screening measures.
Concerns are growing over the outbreak of a deadly virus, as countries move to take measures that we’ve seen once before.
Following the deadly coronavirus pandemic of 2020 and beyond, it’s safe to say that we wasn’t expecting a repeat just six years on.
But world leaders are taking extreme steps following an outbreak of the Nipah virus, after two positive cases were confirmed in December 2025.
The two individuals affected by the illness are believed to be healthcare workers, who have been in contact with 196 people.
And following the outbreak in West Bengal, India, many European countries, including the UK, have been issued stark warnings.
Which countries have tightened health screenings?
Several Asian countries have decided to tighten health screenings, as well as airport surveillance for anyone arriving from India, in an attempt to stop any risk of the disease spreading.
Given that there is currently no proven specific treatment for Nipah virus infection, airports have been urged to take the disease seriously.
In an update, India’s health ministry said: “The situation is under constant monitoring, and all necessary public health measures are in place.”
While no cases have yet been reported outside India, several countries are stepping up precautions.
Thailand is just one country that has started screening its passengers at three international airports that receive flights from West Bengal.
Travelers are now asked to make health declarations upon arrival.
Covid-style screenings
Nepal is yet another country to introduce Covid-style screening measures in order to limit the risk of another global pandemic.
It has begun screening people arriving through the airport in Kathmandu and other land border points with India.
Taiwan have labeled the virus as a ‘Category 5 disease,’ which indicates an emerging or rare infection with major public health risk, that requires immediate reporting and special control measures.
Countries have been warned
UK health bosses have issued a warning following the outbreak, despite experts suggesting that the virus is ‘unlikely to pose a significant risk of global spread.’
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), while the risk remains low, it’s important for officials to understand the virus.
The agency added that no cases have ever been found in the UK.
The World Health Organization has also issued a warning that those infected with the Nipah virus may be asymptomatic, despite clear symptoms having been listed.
What is the Nipah virus, and how dangerous is it?
The disease was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore.
Fruit bats have been the main culprit in helping the virus to circulate in years gone by, but the UKHSA have stated that there is evidence it can infect other animals, including pigs, dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.
Nipah can be spread from animals to humans, but it can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.
But despite the risk of a global pandemic being low at this point, the UKHSA estimated that 40 to 75 percent of those infected will die.
Speaking to The Independent, Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious diseases expert, said: “Although Nipah is a very serious infection, it is unlikely to pose a significant risk of global spread as the risk of person-to-person transmission is low.”
In Bangladesh, more than 100 people have died of Nipah since 2001.
The professor added: “Nevertheless, we cannot be complacent as we have seen recently, some viruses can mutate to increased infectivity.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has described Nipah in its top ten priority diseases, alongwith pathogens like Covid-19, because of its potential to cause widespread outbreaks, reports the BBC.
What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?
The symptoms of the Nipah virus can develop between four and 21 days after infection.
And it’s been reported that those who contract the virus show a wide range of symptoms, or sometimes, none at all.
Initial symptoms may include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. In some people, these may be followed by drowsiness, altered consciousness, and pneumonia.
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