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Tengrinews.kz – Kazakhstanis have been asked to refrain from travelling to India amid an outbreak of the Nipah virus. This concerns one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Asia, which thousands of Kazakhstanis visit every year.
The reason was information about new infection cases in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control (CSEC) clarified that there is a risk of infection for tourists, but it can be reduced if preventive measures are observed.
“Due to the epidemiological situation in India related to the Nipah virus, it is recommended to refrain from tourist trips to India. Under current conditions, the risk of Nipah virus infection for tourists and citizens of the republic travelling to Southeast Asian countries (including India and Bangladesh) is assessed as existing but controllable if preventive measures are followed,” the agency noted.
What is happening at Kazakhstan’s airports
Despite the absence of cases within the country, Kazakhstan has already strengthened sanitary controls at the border, according to the CSEC. Passengers arriving from India and other endemic countries have their temperature taken using contactless methods.
At the same time, there are no plans to introduce a mask mandate on planes.
“Since the virus is not transmitted by airborne droplets, the introduction of a mask regime on aircraft is not required. The situation is under control. No cases of Nipah virus infection or importation of this disease into Kazakhstan have been identified,” the committee stated.
What tourists should know
Specialists recommended that tourists travelling to countries with an unfavorable epidemiological situation should:
- study the epidemiological situation when planning trips abroad;
- avoid contact with bats and other animals;
- observe personal hygiene, regularly wash hands with soap or use antiseptics;
- drink only bottled or boiled water;
- avoid consuming raw date palm sap and products that may have been contaminated by animals;
- thoroughly wash and peel fruits and vegetables before eating.
“If fever, headache, cough or other symptoms appear after a trip, it is important to seek medical help in a timely manner and inform the doctor about having been in a high-risk country,” the CSEC advised.
How many Kazakhstanis are currently in India
According to “Turistik Kamkor,” there are currently 1,117 citizens of Kazakhstan in India on package tours.
“Tourist traffic to the country remains high: in 2025, India was visited by 10,421,000 organized tourists, making it one of the most popular destinations in the South Asian region,” the fund clarified.
At the same time, the fund noted that tour operators have not received notifications about new requirements for tourists, including mandatory checks, movement restrictions or changes to entry rules.
“As for vaccines and sanitary safety measures, we have no information. Our tourists in India always observe special sanitary safety measures, and we hope that these are sufficient for protection,” said the chair of the fund, Inna Rey.
What is the Nipah virus and how dangerous is it?
According to the National Center for Public Health (NCPH), the Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection that can be transmitted to humans:
- from Pteropus fruit bats,
- from pigs,
- through contaminated food products (contaminated fruit, raw sap),
- as well as through close contact with an infected person.
The NCPH noted that the relevance of the virus is heightened by the seasonality and recurrence of outbreaks in certain regions of South Asia. Active travel - tourism, business trips and labour migration - increases the risk of the infection being brought into other countries.
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus; therapy is symptomatic. According to the WHO, the case-fatality rate can reach 40–75 percent.
As of today, five cases of Nipah virus infection have been recorded in the Indian state of West Bengal.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Nipah among high-risk pathogens, which requires increased attention to preventive measures.
It is also noted that all confirmed cases in India were detected among medical personnel. After the first case was registered, around 100 people were ordered to remain in home quarantine.
