Hanoi, Jan. 28 -- The Department of Disease Prevention under the Ministry of Health has issued an urgent dispatch calling for enhanced surveillance and prevention of the Nipah virus at border gates nationwide.

The notice was sent to the health departments of 31 provinces and cities, five international health quarantine centres in Hai Phong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh and Khanh Hoa, and provincial-level centres for disease control, following reports that India recorded five suspected Nipah cases, including two confirmed infections, in West Bengal between December 27, 2025 and January 27, 2026.

Local authorities have been instructed to strengthen disease prevention and control measures at border gates, medical facilities and in the com...