Although no cases of Nipah virus infection have been detected in Myanmar, the Health Ministry of the Military Commission has issued a warning advising travelers to avoid visiting areas where Nipah virus outbreaks have occurred unless necessary, as a preventive measure.
The outbreak area, West Bengal, India, is in a neighboring country to Myanmar. In regions where fruit bats—the natural hosts of the virus—are common, transmission has been reported, and disease surveillance activities are ongoing.
Currently, international airports, seaports, and border checkpoints have been instructed to monitor travelers for suspected symptoms of the disease. People are also advised to avoid visiting hospitals or areas with large numbers of sick individuals in outbreak regions unless necessary.
The Ministry has also issued guidance to state-level health departments to implement preventive measures and organize training for healthcare workers on disease prevention and treatment, according to a health worker from Chaungzon Township.
“We are waiting for further instructions. Advisory notices have also been issued. The main point is to avoid certain actions and remain cautious. This disease hasn’t spread widely yet, so it is probably not as serious as COVID,” the health worker said.
Residents in Myanmar are also advised to continuously follow guidance from the Health Ministry and avoid unnecessary travel or the consumption of fruit and fruit products potentially contaminated by bats.
For those who must travel to outbreak areas, if any suspected symptoms occur within 14 days—such as high fever, headache, coughing, difficulty breathing, confusion, or excessive sleepiness—they should immediately contact the nearest health department and inform doctors of their travel history.
If someone in a household shows symptoms of the suspected disease, or if unusual deaths among local animals (such as pigs or bats) occur, nearby health authorities should be notified.
Nipah virus transmission has been detected in West Bengal, India, with five confirmed cases reported near Barasat city. Reports indicate this is the first time in 19 years that the virus has been detected in the area.
Preventive measures are also being implemented in neighboring Thailand to prevent the spread of the virus beyond Myanmar and India.
