To some travellers, the threat of COVID-19 and its restrictions seems like a distant nightmare, but a deadly virus has been spreading anew in Asia, and now authorities are again implementing health monitoring, contact tracing, cleaning, and airport screening programmes in a resurgence of disease control measures seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nipah virus can spread from infected pigs and bats and food to humans, as well as from human to human. First discovered in 1999 in Nipah, Malaysia, it is in the Paramyxoviridae family. With a 4-18 day incubation period, it is often mild or asymptomatic, the World Health Organisation says, but symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, and respiratory issues, as well as indications of encephalitis (brain inflammation) such as drowsiness, disorientation, convulsions, and coma. When clinical symptoms are present, it has a death rate is between 40% and 75%. There is currently no vaccine or treatment.
The disease has already been recorded in Bangladesh (which has seen the highest incidence at 341 cases, 241 of which were fatal), as well as India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Further cases in Kerala (Kozhikode), one of India’s foremost tourist destinations, including the pilgrimage district of Malappuram, have prompted authorities in Nepal, Taiwan, and Thailand to increase screening measures at major connecting airports, including Kathmandu and Phuket International.
In Taiwan, the current Centre for Disease Control (CDC) alert status for Nipah is a “yellow” level 2, meaning “caution,” but officials are preparing to designate the virus at the highest Category 5 notifiable disease level, leading to immediate reporting and strict control obligations.
Ministry of Tourism & Sports announces zero Nipah cases have been found in Thailand. All airports maintain strict health screening including temp checks & assessments. Rapid response systems are ready. Passengers are urged to rely on official info & seek care if symptoms appear. pic.twitter.com/4HUolQ6uOA
— PR Thai Government (@prdthailand) January 27, 2026
The Thai premier, Anutin Charnvirakul, has sought to reassure the public that Nipah has not yet been found domestically, at the time of writing. A government statement said screening started on 25 January 2026 and that “passengers show excellent cooperation at checkpoints.”
Travellers in Asia may witness enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices and should prepare to be screened for the virus at major hubs. They can expect to undergo temperature checks, questioning about their health and travel history, and epidemiological surveillance such as clinical testing, data sharing, and contact tracing as required. If Nipah symptoms are detected, people can expect to be quarantined immediately.
Thailand Tightens Airport Screening After Nipah Virus Cases Reported in India
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) January 25, 2026
Thailand has stepped up health screening at major international airports after India confirmed five cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, prompting New Delhi to intensify containment measures.… pic.twitter.com/HjYSM1LP2x
Travellers may also find themselves issued with awareness-raising documents and guidance on what to do if they feel unwell. Information campaigns and restrictions may be in place beyond travel hubs, for example, in Asian outdoor destinations, where control measures may be in place to limit certain visitor behaviours in nature, witness Thai “Don’t hunt, don’t forage, don’t eat” public safety messages.
