Nipah virus has been detected in fruit bats in Thailand, though officials report that the concentration of the virus remains lower than in countries currently experiencing outbreaks. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Bangkok Post released this information citing the Ministry of Public Health of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Deputy Health Minister Sophon Iamsirithaworn stated that while the virus was identified in local fruit bat populations, the primary risk to the public stems from infected individuals arriving from regions where the disease is actively spreading. "No confirmed cases of the disease have been recorded in Thailand. While concerns persist in other countries, particularly Bangladesh and India's West Bengal state, monitoring is essential because there are direct flights from those regions to Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Phuket airports," the official emphasized. He added that health screenings for travelers arriving from affected areas are ongoing at these major international hubs.
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus transmitted from animals to humans, primarily through fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people. The virus is known to cause severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), with no current vaccine or specific treatment available. Previous outbreaks in South Asia have resulted in high fatality rates, prompting international health organizations to classify it as a priority pathogen for research and surveillance to prevent potential pandemics.
