By Vijian Paramasivam
PHNOM PENH, FEB 4 (Bernama) -- Just days ahead of the Lunar New Year, several international airports in the region have stepped up surveillance and passenger screening to prevent the spread of the Nipah virus, which resurfaced last December.
Tourist-dependent countries like Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam have intensified airport surveillance to detect infectious diseases that could threaten public health.
The stricter surveillance measures are implemented as millions of travellers will be criss-crossing the airports to return home in time for long-standing family reunion during the annual celebration.
“Given that Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam have stepped up airport surveillance in response to Nipah virus concerns, the Lunar New Year tourism season may face some short-term friction.
“Yet with transparent communication and coordinated health measures, we can minimise disruption,” the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter President Thourn Sinan told Bernama.
So far, no Nipah virus cases have been reported in any of the three countries.
In Hanoi, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has directed all aviation agencies to impose stricter inspections at all airports to avert the spread of the Nipah virus.
Passengers arriving at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi are undergoing automatic temperature screening, reported Vietnam News earlier this week.
This year’s Lunar New Year is celebrated on Feb 17, ushering in the Red Fire Horse according to the Chinese zodiac.
During last year's Lunar New Year, total passenger traffic reached 3.6 million people across all airports in the country.
Vietnam is hoping to welcome 25 million tourists this year.
The Global New Light of Myanmar on Monday reported that the Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport have begun health screening of passengers arriving from abroad, especially from India.
Informational leaflets are being distributed to travellers, and posters are being displayed as part of the Health Ministry’s awareness campaign.
Cambodia last week also announced similar measures at its new Techo International Airport, to tighten health screenings and emergency simulation drills.
Airport authorities and governments have initiated proactive steps to curb the contagious disease after several Nipah virus cases were detected in West Bengal, India, since last December.
The zoonotic virus is usually transmitted from animals to humans, but can be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Clear screening procedures for travellers, regional cooperation by promoting unified guidelines and real-time information sharing across borders to reduce confusion and delays for travellers are vital.
“Traveller support, providing multilingual help, smoother airport processes, any available fast-track options, and flexible travel choices to accommodate changes will help in sustaining the festive mood and tourism momentum,” Sinan.
But the good news is that the WHO on Jan 30 announced that there is a low risk of the Nipah virus spreading from India.
Governments and health officials across Asia are on alert after experiencing the worst COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 that severely threatened public health worldwide.
-- BERNAMA
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