Singapore has announced it will end temperature screening of travelers at airports and seaports starting 23 Feb, after the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India began to stabilize. Authorities stressed that no cases have been detected within the country.
The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) of Singapore stated on Friday that temperature screening for passengers entering the country through airports and seaports will cease starting Monday, 23 February, following the stabilization of the Nipah virus outbreak in India.
Previously, Singapore heightened surveillance especially for flights arriving from outbreak areas such as West Bengal, India. However, authorities recently confirmed no Nipah virus cases related to the outbreaks in India or Bangladesh have been found in Singapore.
The CDA noted that there have been no new reported infections in West Bengal, India, while in Bangladesh there is still no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Although some measures are being relaxed, Singapore will continue basic disease surveillance and will stop distributing health advisory documents about the Nipah virus to travelers at border points.
However, to maintain disease monitoring, the Nipah virus remains included in the SG Arrival Health Declaration and Maritime Declaration of Health forms for incoming travelers.
Meanwhile, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower will continue surveillance measures at foreign worker dormitories for those newly arriving in the country, emphasizing adherence to preventive measures, hygiene, and prompt medical consultation if symptoms appear.
The CDA also advised doctors to exercise caution when encountering patients with symptoms suggestive of Nipah virus infection who have travel history to risk areas. Healthcare facilities and laboratories must immediately report suspected or confirmed cases to authorities.
What is the Nipah virus? It has a fatality rate up to 75%.
Nipah virus infection (NiV) is a serious contagious disease primarily transmitted through contact with bats or by consuming palm sap and fruits contaminated by bat secretions.
The disease has a fatality rate ranging from approximately 40 to 75% and can cause symptoms from respiratory failure to encephalitis.
Initial symptoms often resemble acute influenza, such as:
High fever,
Headache,
Sore throat,
Muscle pain,
Vomiting,
Dizziness,
Drowsiness,
In some cases, it may rapidly progress to pneumonia or respiratory failure.
Source:channelnewsasia
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