Bangkok: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has intensified its Nipah Virus surveillance measures following reports of an outbreak in India's West Bengal state. Emphasis was placed on self-protection measures against wild animals, particularly fruit bats, and coordination with the Department of Disease Control is underway to screen travelers from high-risk areas.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, stated that he has instructed agencies under the department to intensify surveillance for Nipah Virus. Although Thailand has not yet found any cases of Nipah Virus infection, the situation in India, where confirmed cases have been reported and over 100 close contacts have been quarantined, has prompted Thai public health agencies, through the Department of Disease Control, to increase surveillance and screening of travelers from India at international disease control checkpoints.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease with a high mortality rate, primarily transmitted by fruit bats. The virus can be found in the saliva, urine, blood, and internal organs of bats.
Mr. Sukhee Boonkrang, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, stated that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, as the main agency responsible for wildlife care, emphasizes the importance of public awareness of the risks and strict adherence to the law. Killing and butchering bats is illegal under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) and also increases the risk of direct exposure to the Nipah virus, for which there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment. Therefore, self-protection is the most important measure.
The Wildlife Health Management Division of the Wildlife Conservation Bureau has recommended self-protection measures against the risk of Nipah virus infection from the wild, including avoiding contact with bats, not consuming bats or bat products, and taking precautions when consuming fruit. Personal protection measures such as wearing protective clothing and using antiseptic for first aid are also advised. Monitoring for symptoms is crucial due to the virus's incubation period of approximately 4-14 days.
Furthermore, the Department of National Parks has issued a warning to personnel working in high-risk areas, especially those working in caves or areas with large bat populations, to increase their self-protection levels to the maximum and strictly wear standard personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times to reduce the risk of exposure to pathogens that may be present in the environment, such as bat feces or urine.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will coordinate closely with the Department of Disease Control to monitor the situation and prepare for the continuous response to this emerging disease.