BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai authorities said the country had recorded no cases of the dangerous Nipah virus but tightened health controls on international travel.
Government reported no infections so far
Senior tourism official Natthriya Thaweevong said there had been no Nipah infections detected in Thailand and no signs of domestic transmission. She cited a recent report from the Disease Control Department at the Health Ministry confirming the absence of documented Nipah cases.
“I would like to confirm that Thailand has strict measures to prevent and monitor an introduction through international travellers so that there is no spread of the Nipah virus in Thailand,”
said Natthriya, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Stricter checks at airports and borders
The Tourism Ministry held talks with the Disease Control Department, the Health Ministry and the immigration bureau to agree common guidelines for surveillance, screening and quarantine at international checkpoints. At airports and other border crossings, procedures for communicable disease control were aligned with international standards, and the Disease Control Department further intensified passenger screening for travellers from countries or regions classified as high risk. Measures in use included epidemiological surveillance, temperature checks, questions on travel history and symptoms, and the isolation and immediate referral of suspected cases into the public health system.
Nipah classified as dangerous zoonotic disease
The Disease Control Department described the Nipah virus as a dangerous communicable disease that could spread from animals to humans and, in some cases, from person to person. Because of this risk profile, authorities said close and continuous monitoring was essential, supported by national laboratory capacity, an outbreak investigation system and a surveillance network able to diagnose and contain suspected cases quickly across the country.
Tourism sector emphasised safety
For the tourism sector, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said it was working closely with the Health Ministry and border authorities to strengthen health security for both visitors and local communities.
“I would like to further assure tourists that travel in Thailand has continued to be very safe, supported by a strong public health system that meets international standards,”
said Natthriya. The ministry stressed it would continue cooperation with all relevant agencies to protect the health and safety of tourists and maintain confidence in Thailand as a travel destination.
Call for caution and reliance on official information
Authorities urged travellers and the public to handle information carefully and to rely on official communications rather than share unverified reports. Anyone developing symptoms after travelling abroad was advised to seek medical care immediately and disclose their travel history so that diagnosis, treatment and infection control could be carried out effectively. Officials recommended using official information channels, avoiding the spread of unconfirmed claims, obtaining prompt medical help after international trips in case of illness, and informing doctors proactively about recent travel activities.