Indonesia Tightens Monitoring of International Travelers to Prevent Nipah Virus

Tangerang: Indonesia has stepped up health surveillance of international arrivals at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to prevent the potential entry of the Nipah virus, airport health authorities said on Tuesday.

Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Health Quarantine Center (BBKK), Naning Nugrahini, said monitoring has been strengthened through an electronic health declaration system completed by travelers prior to arrival.

“Regardless of whether there is a virus threat, we already have an electronic surveillance system that includes a mandatory health declaration,” Nugrahini said, quoted from Antara, Wednesday 28 January 2026.

“Before entering Indonesia, travelers are required to report their health status to help us assess their physical condition.”

She said health screening measures are being dynamically adjusted in line with global developments.

Under the current protocol, airlines are required to conduct initial health checks at points of departure and verify the health status of all passengers. Authorities also review passengers’ travel histories over the previous 21 days.

“Based on pre-flight data, we can compile a health profile of passengers on each incoming flight,” she said.

Nugrahini added that travelers arriving from countries with reported Nipah cases are subject to closer monitoring.

“We already have profiles of aircraft operating direct flights from India to Jakarta. If passengers originate from affected countries, we can identify those who may be at risk of showing symptoms,” she said.

Passengers displaying symptoms consistent with Nipah virus infection will undergo further medical examination upon arrival.

“If symptoms are detected, health officers will conduct onboard or follow-up examinations,” she said.

The airport has also established several dedicated health checkpoints equipped with thermal scanners, while health officers carry out visual inspections of arriving passengers.

“The system is already in place and continues to be implemented, as every country faces the risk of infectious diseases with outbreak potential,” Nugrahini said.

She confirmed that no Nipah virus cases have been detected in Indonesia so far, but authorities remain on high alert.

“Up to now, our monitoring has not identified any passengers showing signs or symptoms of the disease,” she said.

BBKK Soekarno-Hatta has also coordinated with animal quarantine authorities, as the Nipah virus is known to originate from animals such as bats, monkeys, and pigs.

Nugrahini urged travelers to maintain good hygiene practices, including washing fruit thoroughly and peeling it before consumption.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Nipah virus can affect the lungs and brain. Symptoms include fever, headache, drowsiness, confusion, and coma, with a mortality rate of more than 40 percent among infected patients.