Singapore (VNA) – Singapore's Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said it is closely monitoring a reported case of Nipah virus infection in Naogaon district of Rajshahi division in northwestern Bangladesh, adding that no cases linked to the situations in India and Bangladesh have been detected in the city-state.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on February 6 that a woman had died in January after contracting the Nipah virus. She was reported to have consumed raw date palm sap, a known high-risk source of infection.
The CDA noted that Nipah is endemic in Bangladesh, with recurring seasonal outbreaks often associated with the consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by fruit bats. There is currently no evidence that the case is linked to recent infections reported in West Bengal, India, or that any human-to-human transmission has occurred in Bangladesh. The agency also said there are no signs of community spread in either Bangladesh or West Bengal.
To date, Singapore has not detected any Nipah cases associated with the situations in Bangladesh or India. Ongoing bio-surveillance of bat populations conducted since 2011 has also found no evidence of the virus in the country.
Singapore has progressively stepped up precautionary measures since January 28. These include requiring medical practitioners and laboratories to immediately notify the CDA of confirmed or suspected cases, and advising doctors to remain vigilant for patients presenting compatible symptoms and recent travel history to affected areas.
Temperature screening has been implemented at air and sea checkpoints for travellers arriving from affected regions in India, alongside the issuance of health advisories. Singapore’s arrival health declarations have also been updated to include the Nipah virus, while surveillance of newly arrived migrant workers from South Asia has been strengthened.
The CDA recently reiterated its travel advice, urging visitors to affected areas to avoid food and drinks that may be contaminated by bats, such as raw date palm sap and fruit found on the ground. Travellers are also advised to avoid direct contact with sick individuals and animals, particularly bats and pigs, as well as areas where bats roost./.
