Indonesia reports no Nipah cases, boosts surveillance as regional outbreak fears grow

Indonesia has confirmed that no cases of the Nipah virus have been detected in the country, but authorities say surveillance and early detection measures will be intensified amid growing regional concerns.

The Ministry of Health said it remains on high alert following confirmed outbreaks in parts of South Asia, particularly India.

The Head of the Ministry’s Communication and Public Service Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, said the Nipah virus is typically transmitted from animals such as bats or pigs and can be fatal in severe cases.

“The source of transmission is generally bats or other animals such as pigs. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease reported in Indonesia,” Aji said on Thursday (29 Jan).

According to the ministry, the virus has a mortality rate of between 40% and 75% among patients who develop severe symptoms.

Aji added that there is currently no approved cure or vaccine, prompting authorities to focus on prevention and early detection.

Monitoring travellers and cross-border movement

As a precaution, Indonesia has stepped up monitoring of people, goods and transportation entering the country, particularly from regions that have reported Nipah virus cases.

“We are increasing monitoring of individuals, goods and means of transportation directly or indirectly entering from countries or regions that have reported cases of Nipah virus disease,” Aji said.

All travellers returning to Indonesia from overseas are required to report through the All Indonesia application, which is used to screen for symptoms and identify those arriving from affected areas for further examination and contact history assessments.

Early detection measures expanded

The Ministry of Health is also strengthening early detection at healthcare facilities nationwide.

Screening is being conducted for individuals showing symptoms consistent with Nipah virus infection, particularly those who meet specific risk criteria.

“These include a history of travel from India in the past 14 days, contact with or consumption of infected animals, or consumption of raw palm sap or sugar palm,” Aji said.

Public health advice issued

The Ministry of Health has urged the public to observe the following preventive measures:

• Avoid consuming fruit with bite marks from bats

• Wash and peel fruit thoroughly before eating

• Consume only fully cooked meat

• Do not consume raw palm sap or sugar palm; these must be cooked first

• Avoid contact with sick or infected animals, especially bats and pigs

• Maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle, including regular handwashing, balanced nutrition, adequate rest and exercise

Travellers heading to India or other affected countries are advised to follow health protocols issued by local authorities.

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, vomiting, or reduced consciousness or seizures within 14 days of returning from an affected country is urged to seek immediate medical attention.

WHO flags Nipah virus as priority pathogen

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the Nipah virus as a priority pathogen due to its epidemic potential and high fatality rate.

According to the WHO, infections can range from asymptomatic cases to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.

Nipah virus is zoonotic, spreading to humans from animals such as fruit bats and pigs, through contaminated food or via direct human-to-human transmission.

First identified in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia, the virus has since been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Regional alerts rise after India outbreak

Health authorities in India’s eastern state of West Bengal are working to contain a Nipah virus outbreak after five confirmed cases. Those infected include two nurses, a doctor and a healthcare worker, according to state officials.

The outbreak has prompted precautionary measures across the region.

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has increased screening at major airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket, for passengers arriving from West Bengal.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said no Nipah cases had been detected in the country, but surveillance would remain heightened.

Nepal has also raised alert levels, stepping up health checks at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at key land border crossings with India.

In Taiwan, health authorities are planning to classify Nipah virus infection as a Category 5 notifiable disease, the highest alert level under local law for emerging infectious diseases.

Malaysia said it is maintaining border health controls and monitoring developments through official channels, including updates from the World Health Organisation.

Singapore is also stepping up public health vigilance following the outbreak in West Bengal. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on 28 January 2026 that no Nipah virus cases have been detected in Singapore, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

As part of precautionary measures, temperature screening will be implemented at Changi Airport for flights arriving from affected areas, the agency said.