No immediate threat from Nipah virus to SL

2026-01-29 - 07:46

Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media – Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni has urged the public not to panic over the Nipah virus outbreak currently reported in India, emphasizing that Sri Lanka faces no immediate threat. He stated that local health authorities are closely monitoring the situation as a precautionary measure. Dr. Wijemuni further noted that Sri Lanka, like other countries in the region, has taken precautionary measures toward the situation, reiterating that there is no cause for public alarm at this stage. The Nipah virus – which can be transmitted from animals such as bats and swine – has been reported in several Asian countries. Health reports indicate that the virus has a fatality rate ranging between 40% and 75%. Although person-to-person transmission is possible, the chances of transmission from infected travelers are considered very low, reports say. In this backdrop, several nations including Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia have strengthened airport health screening measures. Related News: Airports tighten screening after Nipah virus outbreak in India