RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Former Director of Infectious Diseases for WHO Southeast Asia, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, stated that the Indonesian government should emulate the steps taken by neighboring countries in its efforts to prevent the transmission of the Nipah virus.

Recently, the virus which may induce respiratory illnesses and even encephalitis in humans has made its way to India.

"Efforts to anticipate the impact of Nipah virus transmission are crucial. Cases of human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus have already occurred in India," said Tjandra in a written statement on Thursday, January 29, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore have already implemented measures to prevent the transmission of the virus.

According to Tjandra, Thai officials have been screening passengers arriving from the Indian state of West Bengal at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Nepalese authorities are also screening travelers at Tribhuvan International Airport.

On January 28, 2026, the Singapore government announced anticipatory measures for the transmission of the Nipah virus, including temperature screenings for arrivals at Changi Airport.

Singapore also asked doctors, laboratory and hospital administrators to be vigilant for the transmission of the Nipah virus, particularly from patients with a history of travel to West Bengal who are experiencing symptoms of Nipah virus infection.

Additionally, Singapore will carry out health education at its ports of entry, step up surveillance for migrant workers arriving from South Asia, and collaborate with infectious disease control agencies in South Asia to monitor virus transmission.

Tjandra said that Indonesia, as a country that welcomes tourists and workers from India, also needs to implement similar preventive measures.

"Given the large number of Indians visiting our country, it seems special monitoring is necessary, at least for those arriving from the Calcutta and West Bengal regions," said the Director of the Postgraduate Program at YARSI University.

In addition to implementing preventive measures, he said the Indonesian government needs to improve coordination with the WHO Southeast Asia and Western Pacific to anticipate the impact of the Nipah virus transmission.

The Nipah virus is a pathogenic virus. It was originally transmitted from animals such as bats and pigs to humans, but can now be transmitted from person to person, including through contaminated food.

Worldwide, there were approximately 750 cases of Nipah virus infection from 1998 to 1999. These infections were initially discovered in Malaysia, but were later reported in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, and Singapore.

According to Tjandra, the incubation period for the Nipah virus is between four and 21 days or longer. Initial symptoms can be flu-like, with fever, headache, and muscle aches. Following that, lung problems may arise, manifested by pneumonia, coughing, and dyspnea. Inflammation of the brain can also result from Nipah virus infection. He added that currently no vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah virus infection. ***