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Covid-style measures triggered across Asia after another deadly virus begins to spread

January 27, 2026 | | Print Article

Another deadly respiratory virus spread by bats is triggering precautionary measures across Asia as dozens have been quarantined, and airport screenings similar to COVID policies remain ongoing.

Testing, temperature checks, and widespread reminders about washing hands and utilizing PPE were ubiquitous as terms like coronavirus and PCR became part of everyday lexicons. Now, similar measures have cropped up anew in India and Thailand as an outbreak of the far deadlier Nipah virus has been confirmed, putting at least 120 people under quarantine.

While describing the outbreak as “not major,” India’s National Center for Disease Control confirmed that the incurable Nipah virus, said to have a mortality rate between 40%-70% according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been contained to districts in Kerala and West Bengal.

The latter is where The Hindu reported that two nurses first contracted the virus and were left in critical condition after symptoms began around New Year’s Day. It is believed they contracted the virus after a patient was treated with respiratory symptoms, but died before tests for Nipah could be conducted. Likewise, another nurse and a doctor were hospitalized with symptoms, as more than 120 people who came into contact with the medical professionals were advised to isolate.

A public awareness campaign found India’s Ministry of Health sharing information on preventing Nipah virus infection, which includes drinking boiled and chlorinated water, avoiding consumption of potentially contaminated fruit, and avoiding exposure to bats or places they congregate.

Confirming that five people have contracted the Nipah virus, but that no cases had been recorded in Thailand, the Thai government instituted strict health screenings that remain ongoing at airports. Evaluations include temperature checks as well as questions about possible symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, sore throat, or vomiting.

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Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary and Ministry spokesperson Ekachai Piensriwatchara has confirmed increased monitoring and control checkpoints, but did not deem the virus situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern at present.

According to the CDC, Nipah virus outbreaks are a near annual occurrence in Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and India, and were first discovered in 1999 after an outbreak impacting both people and pigs in Malaysia and Singapore. Sickness can last between 3 and 14 days, with more serious health issues, including encephalitis and respiratory problems, ensuing.

Efforts remain underway to rule out areas posing risk of ongoing infection and track down the initial source, including at the Alipore Zoo in Kolkata were bats are being tested for the virus, according to The Hindu. Zoo Director Tripti Sah told the outlet, “The team collected swab samples from bats. They have followed all the protocols during the process.”

The testing was being conducted by the National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research.

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Kevin Haggerty
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