Travel Advisory on Nipah Virus: Ministry of Health issued travel advisory on Nipah Virus

The Ministry of Health issued a travel advisory regarding the Nipah virus on January 27.

The issued advisory states that although no Nipah virus infections have been detected in Myanmar to date, the region is home to abundant populations of fruit bats/flying foxes, which are the natural reservoir hosts, and shares borders with neighboring countries where infections frequently occur.

Therefore, special emphasis is being placed on Nipah virus disease surveillance activities. In this regard, the public is advised to refrain from non-essential travel to areas where Nipah virus disease is currently occurring (for example, currently West Bengal State). Those currently in areas where the disease is occurring should avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals in affected areas or places with high numbers of sick individuals. Those who have recently traveled to areas where the disease is occurring and experience suspected symptoms such as severe fever and headache, cough and difficulty breathing, confusion, or drowsiness upon returning to their country must promptly report to the airport health department or on-duty health staff at border entry/exit points.

If any of the aforementioned suspected symptoms appear within (14) days of returning from an affected area, it is necessary to immediately contact the nearest health department. Be sure to inform the doctor of the travel history to the affected area and undergo the required testing and treatment in a timely manner. If family members returning from affected countries show suspected symptoms, or if unusual animal deaths (pigs/bats) are observed in the living environment, immediately notify the nearest health department.