Deadly Illness Reportedly Detected In Asia, Prompting Airports To Implement Screening Measures Similar To COVID-19

Reports of a Nipah virus outbreak in an Indian state have prompted airports across Asia to implement COVID-style screenings.

“Nipah is a serious, and sometimes deadly, viral disease,” the CDC says.

“Nipah virus can be spread from person to person,” the agency says, adding that “Nipah outbreaks occur nearly every year in parts of Asia, often in Bangladesh and India.”

“Around 40%–70% of people with Nipah die,” the agency stated.

Airports introduced precautionary measures after two Nipah virus cases were confirmed in India’s West Bengal.

“The virus can spread between animals and people, specifically from fruit bats and pigs. The countries currently implementing the screenings include Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Pakistan, according to Reuters,” Collin Rugg wrote.

NEW: Asian airports