January 29, 2026 | 01:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Singapore has unveiled six preliminary measures to anticipate the potential spread of the Nipah virus following an outbreak in West Bengal, India. Announced on Tuesday, January 28, 2026, the policy focuses on bolstering surveillance at national entry points and enhancing regional coordination.
Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Director of the Postgraduate Program at YARSI University, believes these actions reflect the Singaporean government’s serious approach. "The six new public health initiatives announced by Singapore demonstrate a firm commitment to protecting its citizens and residents," Tjandra stated in an official release on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
The first measure implemented by the Singaporean government involves body temperature screenings at Changi Airport for travelers arriving from affected regions. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) officially introduced this policy on January 28, 2026.
Secondly, the Singaporean government has mandated that doctors and laboratories immediately report any suspected or confirmed Nipah virus cases to the CDA. This reporting protocol is designed to accelerate public health interventions.
Thirdly, the CDA has instructed hospitals and emergency departments to heighten vigilance for patients with recent travel history to West Bengal who exhibit symptoms consistent with a Nipah infection.
The fourth step centers on health education at Singapore’s airports and checkpoints. Arriving passengers are urged to contact health officials if they feel unwell after traveling, while departing residents are being provided with essential precautionary guidelines.
Fifth, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has intensified surveillance of migrant workers arriving from South Asia.
Sixth, the CDA will maintain continuous coordination with infectious disease authorities in South Asia to monitor the Nipah virus situation closely.
Tjandra added that Singapore’s measures, alongside Thailand’s policies, which include airport screenings, hospital readiness, and a One Health approach, serve as a blueprint for Indonesia to increase its own public health vigilance.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed that no cases of the Nipah virus have been detected in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the government is taking preemptive action through public awareness campaigns and the preparation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
"We have prepared the socialization and the necessary PCR reagents, as the virus is detected using PCR testing," Budi stated at the Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO) in Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
According to Budi, Nipah virus cases are primarily concentrated in India and Bangladesh. The virus is transmitted from bats to humans, often via contaminated fruit, and carries a high mortality rate. "It indeed has a high fatality rate and originates from bats," he noted.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the report
Read: Foreign Ministry: No Indonesians Infected with Nipah Virus
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