Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, has issued an alert regarding the outbreak of Nipah virus infection, establishing guidelines for disease prevention and surveillance to ensure the safety of its staff, students, patients, and the general public.
Professor Somsak Tiamkao, MD, Director of Srinagarind Hospital, stated that according to situation reports, an outbreak of Nipah virus has been identified in West Bengal, India, with two confirmed cases and 196 close contacts under monitoring. No additional cases have been reported since. As of 28 January 2026, there have been no confirmed cases in Thailand. International communicable disease control checkpoints under the Department of Disease Control continue to monitor travellers entering the country.
To prevent and control a potential outbreak, Srinagarind Hospital has established the following guidelines:
- Adhere strictly to disease prevention principles: Wash hands frequently with soap, especially after contact with animals. Avoid consuming fruit that has fallen to the ground or shows signs of being bitten by animals. Avoid contact with sick or dead animals without wearing protective equipment.
- For individuals required to travel to outbreak areas, specifically Kolkata in West Bengal, India: Follow disease prevention measures rigorously and adhere to DMH (Distancing, Mask Wearing, Hand Washing) principles. Upon returning to Thailand, monitor your health for at least 21 days. Should you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, or muscle aches, or severe symptoms like seizures, decreased consciousness, or unexplained shortness of breath, immediately contact the Communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit at Srinagarind Hospital at 043-363568, 043-363573, and 043-353550, or any of the three primary care units.
- Stay informed through reliable sources: This includes the Department of Disease Control hotline (1422) and Srinagarind Hospital’s official communication channels, such as Facebook, TikTok, and the YouTube channel “Suksaphab Dee kab Rophayaban Sinakharin – Srinagarind Channel.” Additionally, an informative discussion, “Health Talk with KKU Doctors EP.3: Nipah Virus – A Life-Threatening Communicable Disease,” is available to watch on demand via the Khon Kaen University Faculty of Medicine’s Facebook Live page.
Furthermore, Srinagarind Hospital has developed operational guidelines for the surveillance, investigation, and reporting of Nipah virus for medical personnel and relevant agencies. These measures are designed to ensure prompt and effective screening, disease investigation, and situation reporting.
This alert aims to raise awareness and foster comprehensive preparedness for emerging infectious diseases. It reaffirms that Khon Kaen University and Srinagarind Hospital have robust surveillance systems in place to continuously safeguard the health and safety of the university community and the public.
News: Benjamaporn Mamook Photography: Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health (Poster) / Kkasinthorr Rachoros (Cover image of Lyle’s flying fox), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138495613
