DOH: Quarantine bureau urges awareness over travel restrictions for Nipah virus

The Bureau of Quarantine has recommended increasing awareness regarding the Nipah virus instead of restricting the movement of travelers, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.

In the wake of cases discovered in West Bengal, India, DOH spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo said the BOQ  has sent information and educational materials on the Nipah virus to all points of entry in the country.

“Ang pagtuklas ng mga kumpirmadong kaso ng Nipah Virus (NiV) sa tao sa West Bengal, India ay isang kamakailang pangyayari na sinusubaybayan sa pandaigdigang antas,” Domingo said in a statement.

“Walang mga internasyonal na rekomendasyon para sa mga paghihigpit sa paglalakbay,” he added.

(The discovery of confirmed human cases of Nipah Virus (NiV) in West Bengal, India, is a recent event that is being monitored globally. There are no international recommendations for travel restrictions.)

"Ang DOH Bureau of Quarantine ay nananatiling mapagmatyag at inirerekomenda ang mas mataas na kamalayan sa halip na paghihigpit sa paggalaw ng mga manlalakbay," Domingo said.

"Sa pamamagitan ng pagtuon sa pagtuturo sa publiko at pagtiyak na handa ang mga frontliner ng paliparan at daungan, ang DOH BOQ sa pakikipagtulungan sa iba pang mga kasosyo sa kalusugan ay makakatulong na maiwasan ang pagpasok at pagkalat ng anumang potensyal na banta ng sakit," he added.

(The DOH Bureau of Quarantine remains vigilant and recommends increased awareness rather than restricting the movement of travelers. By focusing on educating the public and ensuring that airport and seaport frontliners are prepared, the DOH BOQ, in collaboration with other health partners, can help prevent the entry and spread of any potential disease threat.)

Domingo said the Philippines’ borders remain open, and proactive border screening even before travel, such as online health declaration and thermal scanning upon arrival, and trained observation of travelers, continue to protect Filipinos from the incoming disease.

“Ang DOH BOQ ay nagpakalat ng impormasyon at mga materyales sa edukasyon na nakatuon sa NiV sa lahat ng Points of Entry (PoE),” Domingo said.

“Kabilang dito ang impormasyon tungkol sa mga karaniwang sintomas nito (lagnat, sakit ng ulo, paghihirap sa paghinga), paraan ng pagkahawa (direktang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga nahawaang paniki, baboy, o kontaminadong prutas), at pag-iwas,” Domingo said.

“Lahat ng istasyon ng DOH BOQ ay mayroon ding access sa impormasyong ito,” he added.

(The DOH BOQ has disseminated information and educational materials focused on NiV at all Points of Entry. This includes information on its common symptoms, such as fever, headache, difficulty breathing; mode of transmission, which is direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or contaminated fruit; and prevention. All DOH BOQ stations also have access to this information.)

India has confirmed two cases of the Nipah virus, with 100 close contacts being closely monitored.

As a result of said outbreak, neighboring countries like Thailand and Malaysia have since announced tighter airport screening procedures.

"The ministry remains vigilant against the risk of cross-border transmission following sporadic infections in several other countries," said Malaysia’s health ministry in a statement.

The DOH earlier said that the Philippines was prepared to respond in case the virus is detected within the country, and is implementing a 2023 guideline on responding to said virus.

According to the World Health Organization, NiV is a zoonotic virus that can be transmitted from contaminated food or between people.

With a 40% to 75% mortality rate, the usual transmission causes are from infected animals to people through close contact or consumption of infected meat. –NB, GMA Integrated News