On January 28, the Da Nang City Department of Health issued an urgent document to health units in the area on proactively strengthening measures to prevent and control epidemics caused by the Nipah virus.
According to information from the infectious disease surveillance system, from the end of December 2025 to January 26, 2026, India recorded 5 suspected cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal (of which 2 cases were confirmed by tests). Among the cases were both medical staff who were doctors and nurses. About 100 people in close contact had to be quarantined and monitored for medical treatment.
Although as of January 27, Vietnam has not recorded any cases of the disease, but facing the risk of invasion, the Da Nang Department of Health requests units to absolutely not be subjective or negligent.
The Nipah virus is an A1 group infectious disease, mainly transmitted from animals to humans (especially fruit bats), or through infected food and transmitted from humans to humans through secretions.
People infected with the virus usually have a latency period of 4-14 days with initial symptoms such as: headache, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat. However, the disease can progress severely causing dizziness, drowsiness, consciousness disorders and serious neurological signs of acute encephalitis.
To proactively respond, the Da Nang Department of Health directed the City Center for Disease Control (CDC) to focus on closely monitoring passengers entering at border gates, especially people returning from epidemic-stricken areas such as India or transiting through third countries.
When detecting passengers showing suspicious signs such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, abnormal fatigue, functional agencies will proactively exploit travel history and implement temporary isolation measures at the airport according to regulations.
In addition, hospitals and medical examination and treatment facilities in the area are required to strengthen screening, proactively detect suspected cases early right in the reception area. Measures to control infection and protect medical staff must be strictly implemented to avoid cross-infection.
In order to protect public health, the Da Nang Department of Health recommends that people do not go to areas with Nipah epidemics if it is not really necessary. People returning from epidemic areas within 14 days if they have symptoms of fever, headache, vomiting... need to immediately contact a medical facility, clearly notify their epidemiological history and limit contact with others. Wash and peel fruits; absolutely do not eat fruits with bat teeth or bird bites; do not drink raw tree sap (sesame palm, coconut...). Especially fruit-eating bats; wash hands with soap after slaughtering or animal contact. Limit direct contact with patients; use masks and gloves when caring for suspected infected people.
