No need for Nipah screening: Airport health officer to airlines

Kolkata: The health officer at Kolkata airport (APHO) has convened a meeting of international airlines operating out of the city on Monday following multiple queries from Thai and Malaysian carriers about Nipah virus.Speaking to TOI, the APHO said the meeting was convened at the behest of the Union health ministry to address concerns expressed by some airlines about the detection of two cases of the Nipah virus in the state last month. "The airlines are asking us about the measures being taken on Nipah and whether departing passengers will be screened. We will inform them that prompt and comprehensive public health measures were initiated in accordance with established protocols. Altogether, 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases were identified, traced, monitored, and tested. All tested negative. There is no evidence of community transmission to necessitate screening and additional harassment to passengers," he said.Thai Airways, Air Asia and Malaysian Airlines contacted the APHO and sought clarification on the measures being adopted. Thailand has already introduced thermal screening and a mandatory health declaration for passengers from Kolkata travelling to the country. Nepal has also introduced screening, but Buddha Air, the private carrier in the Himalayan country, did not approach the APHO on the Nipah issue.People who contract the virus may have symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. In some people, these may be followed by drowsiness, altered consciousness, and pneumonia. "Our endeavour will be to assure everyone that there is no threat of the virus at present," the official said.