On January 28, the Department of Disease Prevention (Ministry of Health) sent an urgent document to the Departments of Health of 31 provinces and cities; 5 International Health Quarantine Centers in Hai Phong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, and Khanh Hoa; and 26 local Centers for Disease Control (CDC), requesting increased surveillance and prevention of diseases caused by the Nipah virus.
The Department of Disease Control stated that, according to information from the Infectious Disease Surveillance System, from December 27, 2025 to January 27, 2026, India recorded 05 suspected cases of Nipah virus infection (including 02 confirmed cases) at a hospital in West Bengal.
The Department of Disease Prevention and Control requests the Departments of Health, the International Health Quarantine Centers, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in provinces and cities to develop plans for preventing and controlling Nipah virus outbreaks at border crossings. They should also organize training for healthcare workers at all levels on prevention measures and infection control practices.
To proactively prevent and control the entry and spread of infectious diseases into our country, the Department of Disease Prevention and Control requests the Department of Health to direct the strengthening of disease prevention and control work at border gates, at medical facilities, and in the community; regularly update and monitor disease information worldwide; closely monitor incoming travelers to detect suspected cases early and handle them immediately at border gates.
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The Department of Disease Prevention requests the Department of Health, the International Health Quarantine Center and Provincial and city Centers for Disease Control and Prevention develop plans. Preventing the spread of Nipah virus at border crossings.
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Develop a plan for preventing and controlling Nipah virus outbreaks at border crossings. Organize training for healthcare workers at all levels on prevention measures and infection control.
At the same time, organize communication about the epidemic situation to prevent public panic and anxiety and to ensure that preventive measures are properly implemented.
For the Institutes of Hygiene and Epidemiology/Pasteur Institutes, the Department of Disease Prevention requests guidance, training, and support for localities on surveillance and prevention measures, sample collection, preservation, transportation, and receipt of specimens from localities.
Review and strengthen the rapid response team at the unit, ready to respond when suspected or confirmed cases are recorded in localities (if any).
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To proactively prevent and control the Nipah virus outbreak, the Ministry of Health recommends that people take the following measures:
1. Avoid traveling to areas affected by the Nipah virus unless absolutely necessary.
2. Monitor your health for 14 days after returning from an affected area. If you experience symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, or seizures, contact the nearest medical facility immediately. Limit contact with others and clearly inform healthcare personnel of your epidemiological history.
3. Ensure food hygiene: practice "Eat cooked food, drink boiled water," wash and peel fruits before eating, do not eat or drink fruits that show signs of being bitten or gnawed by animals (bats, birds); avoid drinking tree sap (such as palm sap, raw or unprocessed coconut sap).
4. Avoid close contact with animals that can transmit the disease, such as fruit bats; wash your hands frequently with soap or disinfectant after slaughtering or handling animals.
5. Limit direct contact with sick people and contaminated items from sick people; use masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment when caring for or treating suspected or confirmed cases, and wash hands with soap afterward.
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Binh Nguyen