Nipah and Thailand

Looking at local newspapers produces quite a few stories about the Nipah Virus outbreak in India. Some of the stories are about health authorities taking action on surveillance of people entering from India.

A reader emailed asking why this was. They reckoned that the outbreak was only minor news now in India itself and that most of the stories had been written a week or so ago. The reader had a hypothesis – see below – but some background first.

We had a quick look at The Times of India and The Hindustan Times and the reader’s assessment seemed reasonably accurate. We also looked at the World Health Organization news site, where “Nipah virus infection – India” was from 6 August 2025.

Then why the sudden outbreak of interest in Thailand? The Bangkok Post reports that “Disease control has been intensified at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports, screening travellers from West Bengal in India where there is a confirmed outbreak of potentially lethal Nipah virus disease.”

The Post also carries a story by “prominent virologist Yong Poovorawan.” He gives some background and seems to say there’s little risk in Thailand

So what is prompting the panic? Social media? Or is it just good health administration?

While the outbreak is focused near Kolkata, Bihar’s proximity has prompted authorities to issue alerts, with particular concern for pilgrims traveling to Bodh Gaya and other areas in Bihar.

Here’s where the reader’s guess comes in. He said that maybe it has something to do with a post at Royal World Thailand’s Facebook page. In that post dated 24 January, it states:

The Royal Noble Consort Sineenatha Bilasakalayani, represented His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand to preside over the “Dhammanava Wang The Path to become Enlightened at the Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites”. The event was attended by monks from various countries as well as local people at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels in Gaya, Bihar State, Republic of India.

She seems to have quite an entourage.

Clipped from Royal World Thailand

Interestingly, The Nation reports that the Thai Consulate General in Kolkata has issued a warning about the Nipah virus outbreak “particularly for Thai pilgrims heading to Bodh Gaya and nearby areas in Bihar.”

Probably just a coincidence.