Although no human cases have been confirmed, the Thai Ministry of Public Health has implemented rigorous preventive measures at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Phuket international airports. The campaign focuses on screening travelers arriving from active outbreak zones, specifically Bangladesh and West Bengal, India.
Key pathological findings:
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Field status: Thai health experts confirmed the presence of the Nipah virus in local fruit bat populations, with an infection rate of approximately 10% (significantly lower than the 40-50% reported in India).
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Viral strain classification: The Bangladesh strain has been identified in Thailand. This variant is considered more dangerous than the Malaysia strain due to its tendency to cause severe pneumonia and its high fatality rate.
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Indirect transmission control: To prevent the virus from jumping from bats to pigs and subsequently to humans, authorities have prohibited pig farming in areas inhabited by virus-carrying bats.
Special warning for children:
Health officials emphasize that children are the most vulnerable group, as their initial symptoms are often less distinct. Beyond the risk of death from acute encephalitis, children who survive the infection may face long-term complications, including developmental delays, cognitive impairment, and epilepsy.
Currently, alongside Thailand, Nepal has also ramped up health inspections at road crossings and airports for travelers arriving from India to prevent the importation of this virus, for which no vaccine currently exists.