Vietnam is a popular travel destination.Image: Shutterstock
A deadly virus is spreading across South Asia. After a new outbreak of the Nipah virus in India, Vietnam has declared the highest alert level. Checks are also being carried out again at airports in other Asian countries. What travelers need to know now.
Jan 27, 2026, 5:27 p.mJan 27, 2026, 5:27 p.m
Anna Von Stefenelli / watson.de
The desire to travel will again be heading to the Far East in 2026. Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations. But the Ministry of Health in Hanoi is currently sounding the alarm. The reason is a dangerous virus outbreak that is worrying observers around the world.
As Vietnamese media report, it is the highly dangerous Nipah virus, which has appeared several times in South and Southeast Asia in the past. The situation is serious enough that Vietnam is tightening its anti-epidemic measures. These also affect tourists.
Vietnam on alert
The Vietnamese health authorities officially confirmed on January 27th that there were no Nipah cases in the country so far. Nevertheless, they have raised the alert level. At the same time, they have intensified border and airport controls.
The reason lies in another country: Five suspected cases were reported in a hospital in the Indian state of West Bengal between December 27, 2025 and January 26, 2026including two confirmed infections. All those affected are medical personnel, such as vnexpress.net reported.
2021, India: Doctors take blood samples from a goat to test for the Nipah virus.Image: ap
Because the virus is not to be taken lightly. According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, the Nipah virus belongs to the highest danger level, group A of infectious diseases. The mortality rate is 40 to 75 percent, and there are currently no cures or vaccines.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nipah virus is also considered a rare but extremely dangerous pathogen. There have been no major outbreaks so far. The known cases mostly occurred in small clusters.
Animals and fruit as the main sources of danger
The pathogen is mainly transmitted from animals to people, especially fruit bats and birds, but also through contact with contaminated food or objects. Particularly treacherous: Person-to-person transmission is also possible, for example via the body fluids of infected people.
Birds can transmit the virus.Image: keystone
The incubation period of the virus is four to 14 days. Afterwards, flu-like symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, vomiting and sore throats often occur. Later, dizziness, impaired consciousness and, in the worst case, acute encephalitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the brain, follow.
In India, doctors initially diagnosed the current outbreak in a private hospital near Kolkata. The first patients pointed loudly vietnam.vn severe fever and massive breathing problems. They had to be treated in intensive care. The authorities immediately started contact tracing and widespread testing.
Vietnamese authorities are imposing strict precautionary measures
Vietnam is responding to the current outbreaks with comprehensive prevention. According to vnexpress.net, all local authorities have been instructed to increase surveillance of border crossings, clinics and communities. The aim is to nip potential chains of infection in the bud.
Returnees from affected areas are particularly closely monitored. Anyone who shows symptoms within 14 days of returning should seek medical treatment immediately and avoid contact with others.
Anyone flying to Vietnam should take certain measures into account.Image: keystone
But the alert is also high in other Asian countries. In Thailand, according to “vietnam.vn”, health cards are already being distributed again at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Nepal increased controls at the country’s borders and at the international airport in Koshi. Taiwan is considering adding Nipah virus to its list of reportable infectious diseases.
This applies to Vietnam holidays
The focus is also on how food is handled: the authorities in Vietnam asked the population not to eat fruit that has been nibbled by animals. Infected bats or birds may leave the virus on the fruit.
You should also avoid consuming fresh palm or coconut juice. Fruit should only be eaten cooked. Water should be boiled. Frequent hand washing is also recommended.
The following also applies in everyday life: No close contact with animals that could be potential carriers – especially fruit bats. When handling raw meat or live animals, protective equipment and thorough hygiene are recommended. Anyone who looks after nursing staff or has contact with sick people should definitely use masks, gloves and disinfectants.