HCMC – HCMC health authorities have activated preventive measures against the possible entry of the Nipah virus, while confirming no cases have been detected in the city so far.
The HCMC Department of Health said on January 28 that the risk of a local outbreak remains low, but the risk of imported cases persists amid rising international travel, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
An emergency meeting was held with infectious disease experts to assess epidemiological risks, review response capacity and update prevention and control plans for Nipah virus infection.
Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, deputy director of the department, confirmed that no Nipah cases have been recorded in the city to date. He noted that vigilance remains necessary due to cross-border movement.
Health authorities have increased medical screening at Tan Son Nhat International Airport for passengers arriving from or transiting through areas with reported Nipah cases. Travelers showing fever or abnormal respiratory or neurological symptoms will be transferred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases under established procedures.
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases has been instructed to prepare isolation facilities and ensure readiness for diagnosis and treatment of suspected or confirmed cases. Training on diagnosis, treatment and infection control related to Nipah virus is being provided to healthcare facilities across the city.
Hospitals and clinics have been told to strictly implement personal protective measures for medical staff and strengthen infection control. Acute encephalitis cases of unknown origin must be closely monitored, with epidemiological factors reviewed and consultations conducted with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases to avoid missed cases.
People returning from affected areas are advised to monitor their health for at least 14 days after entry and seek medical care immediately if symptoms appear. Self-treatment is discouraged, and cooperation with health surveillance at border checkpoints and in communities is required.
Travelers to outbreak areas are advised to avoid contact with fruit bats, pigs and sick animals, and to avoid food or drinks that may be contaminated by bat waste, such as fallen fruit or uncovered fresh fruit juice. Hand hygiene is also recommended.
The World Health Organization classifies Nipah as a high-risk infectious disease that can spread from animals to humans, mainly from fruit bats, and through contaminated food or direct contact with bodily fluids. The incubation period ranges from four to 14 days. Hospital fatality rates range from 40% to 75%, and no vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.
International disease surveillance data show that India reported two confirmed Nipah infections among healthcare workers in West Bengal between December 27, 2025, and January 26, 2026. The cases were linked to a severe patient who later died and was not tested.
Studies conducted between 1996 and 2018 in HCMC and southern provinces on encephalitis patients, including those using advanced diagnostic techniques, found no evidence of the Nipah virus.
