Following the outbreak of the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India in January 2026, Malaysia Airports will be holding targeted screenings of travellers from high risk countries like India and Bangladesh.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Wednesday that it will begin conducting targeted health checks at international entry points at KLIA and KLIA Terminal 2, detecting travellers for early symptoms such as fever.
View this post on Instagram
Health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said yesterday in a press conference that body temperature scanning systems will be used actively to detect those exhibiting early symptoms of the virus.
“We are focusing on travellers arriving from India and Bangladesh, as these are among the high-risk countries, and it is important that targeted screening has been initiated. There are no special routes for these travellers. However, if indicators, such as fever, are detected, they will be referred for further assessment. We remain on high alert, and screening continues to be carried out at all entry points,” he said.
Currently, there have been no cases of the Nipah virus in Malaysia since September 1999. But what do Malaysians need to know and take caution about the virus’ resurgence? Read on to find out.
Nipah virus outbreak prompts Malaysia Airports to implement targeted screenings: What this means for Malaysian travellers
Although the risk of a Nipah virus outbreak in Malaysia is low, MOH advised those travelling in and out of the country to mask-up, maintain good hygiene, and avoid contact with infected individuals, advising those showing any early symptoms of the virus to be treated immediately.
MOH is currently in close contact with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and will base their guidelines on the developing international situation. Many neighboring countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong have made it mandatory for travellers to fill up health advisories as cautionary measures.
The origins of Nipah virus
In 1998, Malaysia faced the spread of a fatal viral outbreak that originated from pig farms in Negeri Sembilan. The virus showed similar symptoms to Japanese encephalitis which it was mistaken for a short time. After the outbreak spread, virologist Dr Chua Kaw Bing of the University of Malaya found the source of the virus in March 1999 from local fruit bats in Kampung Sungai Nipah. It is believed that local pigs ate fruits which contained traces of excretions from the fruit bats. The pigs were moved from one farm to another and were in close-contact with farmers which resulted in the spread of the virus.
The Nipah virus (NiV) spread throughout Singapore and Malaysia from September 1998 to May 1999, leading to 265 cases and 108 deaths. It was a deadly virus with a high 40 to 70 % case fatality rate. Since then, occasional cases of the virus have emerged in Bangladesh and most recently, India.
Symptoms and preventative measures of the Nipah virus
Early symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle, vomiting, and sore throat. This can worsen into drowsiness, seizures, and difficulty in breathing.
Here some preventative measures you can take as advised by the MOH:
- Keep good hygiene and wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid exposure to high-risk areas like pig farms and bat-infested areas.
- Dispose fruits or vegetables that have animal bite marks.
- Wear gloves when tending to sick pets or disposing their waste
- Seek medical attention immediately if you or your loved ones show early symptoms.
(Hero and feature image credit: Unsplash/AR)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
