Thai authorities have introduced enhanced airport health screenings after identifying more than 1,700 people who may have been exposed to the Nipah virus, a rare but highly lethal disease with no known cure.

The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that thermal scanning and symptom checks were activated at major international airports, including Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, following heightened concern from disease surveillance teams. Officials said the move was precautionary and designed to catch potential cases early as international travel continues.

Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans and can also spread through close human contact. Early symptoms often include fever, headaches, and fatigue before rapidly escalating into severe respiratory illness or fatal brain inflammation, according to guidance from global health officials.

Health authorities stressed that the virus does not spread easily between people, but its mortality rate is significantly higher than many other infectious diseases. That risk, officials said, makes early detection at travel hubs critical.