The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, Jan. 28 said it is closely monitoring the spread of Nipah virus abroad and is coordinating with Philippine airport authorities as part of its routine surveillance measures.

“Handa ang ating DOH para sa Nipah virus at iba pang sakit) Our DOH is prepared for the Nipah virus and other diseases),” DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in a statement.

He added that the health department is tracking seasonal Nipah virus outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, citing that five confirmed cases have been reported in West Bengal, India, with around 100 close contacts under monitoring by Indian health authorities.

“Alam natin ito dahil kasama tayo sa global IHR network ng World Health Organization o WHO (We are aware of this because we are part of the World Health Organization’s global International Health Regulations network),” Domingo said.

Nipah virus is a rare zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans.

Fruit bats are its primary reservoir, although other animals such as pigs and horses may also become infected.

Human transmission may occur through contact with infected animals, contaminated food, or close contact with an infected person.

The virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1998 and later spread to Singapore in 1999. Both outbreaks were eventually contained.

Domingo said the virus is not new to the Philippines, citing a 2014 incident in Sultan Kudarat that involved 17 cases.

During the 2014 incident, patients experienced flu-like symptoms, while others developed more severe complications such as encephalitis and meningitis. Infections were traced to the consumption of horse meat and close contact with infected individuals.

“Nakuha ito ng mga nagkasakit mula sa pagkain ng karne ng kabayo at paglapit sa taong may sakit (Those who became ill acquired it through eating horse meat and close contact with an infected person),” Domingo explained.

Following the 2014 cases, no additional Nipah virus infections have been recorded in the country.

The health department said surveillance has been ongoing through its Epidemiology Bureau, and updated response guidelines were issued in 2023 under DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

Domingo pointed out that the Bureau of Quarantine maintains round-the-clock monitoring at all airports and seaports nationwide.

“Patuloy po ang pagbantay ng DOH Bureau of Quarantine sa lahat ng paliparan at pantalan, 24 oras, may Nipah virus news man o wala (The DOH Bureau of Quarantine continues 24-hour monitoring at all airports and seaports, whether or not there is news about the Nipah virus),” he said.