Health Minister Mark Butler says federal authorities are “monitoring [Nipah] very, very closely” after India confirmed fresh cases of the deadly virus, prompting heightened screening measures at airports in parts of Asia.
Speaking to ABC Radio National, Butler said Nipah did not spread like COVID-19 or influenza because it is not typically transmitted through the air. Instead, he said it usually requires “very close personal contact” and the exchange of bodily fluids — factors that can help limit wider outbreaks if containment is swift.
India has recorded two confirmed cases in the past month, with officials pointing to “timely containment” as contact tracing and monitoring ramped up. The development has sparked precautionary steps across the region, with some airports introducing extra health checks for travellers arriving from affected areas.
Butler said Australia has not changed its settings at this stage.
He told RN, adding the government would continue to track developments closely,
“We don’t have any advice at the moment to change our existing protocols for sick travellers who arrive in Australia.”
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. Global health authorities have previously linked outbreaks to fruit bats (flying foxes), with transmission occurring through contaminated food or close contact with infected people. Illness can range from fever and respiratory symptoms to severe encephalitis (brain inflammation).
The fatality rate has been reported at between 40 and 75 per cent in documented outbreaks, depending on factors such as healthcare access and the speed of detection. There is no vaccine currently available.
While the virus is considered less likely to spread widely than airborne diseases, public health experts treat any re-emergence seriously because small clusters can carry devastating consequences.
According to a release issued by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has only two confirmed cases of Nipah Virus Disease from the state of West Bengal from December last year to date.
Following confirmation of these two cases, the Government of India, in close coordination with the Government of West Bengal, promptly initiated comprehensive public health measures in accordance with established protocols.
A total of 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases have been identified, traced, monitored, and tested. All traced contacts have been found asymptomatic and have tested negative for Nipah Virus Disease, the release read.
Enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations were undertaken through coordinated efforts by Indian Federal and State health agencies, ensuring the timely containment of cases. No additional Nipah Virus Disease cases have been detected so far.
The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advises the public and media to rely only on verified information released by official sources and to refrain from spreading unverified or speculative reports.
Australian authorities say they will continue to watch the situation and maintain existing border and public health processes for managing unwell travellers arriving by air.
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