New Zealanders set to travel to India and around Asia are being advised to avoid bats and touching anything that may have been contaminated by bats, as more airports introduce screening measures for the deadly Nipah virus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has released information about Nipah on its SafeTravel website, in light of news that several major Asian airports have begun Covid-style screening on passengers, in a bid to keep the virus out.

Video footage posted online of an airport in Thailand shows passengers walking through security. Their faces can be seen on large screens showing their body temperatures in real-time.

What is the Nipah virus?

Two cases of the zoonotic virus – one passed from animals to humans – have been detected in West Bengal, eastern India, since last month.

The virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1998, when an outbreak occurred among local pig farmers. The result was devastating, with up to 105 deaths and the culling of over a million pigs in a bid to stop the spread.

There have been other outbreaks of Nipah in India since then, including in 2001 and 2007 in West Bengal – where the latest cases are from – and in 2018, when 17 deaths were reported in the southern state of Kerala.

With no approved vaccine available and a mortality rate of between 40-75%, Nipah is considered highly dangerous and deadly.

Indian flying fox bats have been known to carry the deadly Nipah virus. Photo / 123rf

“If you travel to or live in an area where Nipah virus outbreaks have occurred, you should wash your hands regularly with soap and water or a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol content,” the SafeTravel advisory reads.

“Avoid contact with flying fox bats or sick pigs. Avoid areas where bats roost and avoid touching anything that could be soiled by bats.”

Travellers are encouraged to avoid eating raw date palm sap or fruit that could be contaminated by bats.

“Eat food that is fully cooked and fruits that can be washed and peeled.”

Bali's main international airport has joined the growing list of major airports screening passengers for the deadly Nipah virus. Photo / 123rf

People should also avoid coming into contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone who has contracted the virus.

“If you have been to an area known to have an outbreak of Nipah virus and you are unwell, seek immediate medical advice and tell the doctors about your travel.”

Indian health authorities say the virus has been contained, but several neighbouring countries have introduced screening measures – including thermal/temperature checks – in a bid to keep the infectious disease out.

Bali’s main airport, the Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, joins the growing list of terminals screening passengers for the virus.

Airports in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Nepal now all have screening measures for passengers in place. There are also checks being carried out at some land border points with India, the BBC reported.

The Ministry of Health and Health NZ yesterday said they are monitoring the situation overseas.

“At this stage, the World Health Organisation considers the risk of international disease spread to be low,” a joint statement to the Herald said.

“There are systems in place to ensure any traveller who arrives in New Zealand unwell is checked and managed appropriately to the situation.”

Epidemiologist professor Michael Baker said there is “little potential” that these latest Nipah cases would cause a pandemic.

However, he encouraged anyone travelling to India to take extra precautions.