Nigeria, Jan. 30 -- Indian authorities have declared a recent outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus contained, as several Asian countries step up health screening for travellers arriving from India.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday night that "timely containment" measures had been successfully implemented following the confirmation of two cases in West Bengal.

According to the ministry, 196 contacts linked to the cases were identified, traced, monitored and tested, with all results returning negative.

Officials said the clarification was necessary to counter what they described as "speculative and incorrect figures" circulating in the media, adding that the situation remains under constant monitoring with enhance...