Malaysians travelling to or residing in India are urged to take precautions against the Nipah virus, the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi advised on Thursday.
The statement recommended that those visiting areas with reported Nipah cases wear face masks in public to reduce exposure to respiratory droplets and avoid crowded places where possible.
Travellers and residents are also advised to maintain strict personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing, and to avoid consuming unwashed fruits or food that may be contaminated.
The High Commission said it will continue to closely monitor developments and provide updates if necessary.
Malaysians are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow all recommended safety measures to protect their health and wellbeing. The advisory also warned against contact with sick animals or individuals showing symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, or difficulty breathing.
India’s Ministry of Health has confirmed two cases of Nipah in the eastern state of West Bengal. Authorities reported on Tuesday that the outbreak has been successfully contained.
Nevertheless, the outbreak has prompted authorities in several Asian countries, including Malaysia, to implement screening measures for travellers arriving from India.
Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans from animals and can spread among people through contaminated food or direct human-to-human contact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The virus typically incubates in humans for 4 to 14 days, and there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available for humans or animals.
