Following a recent outbreak of Nipah virus in West Bengal, India, several Asian countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, have upgraded their border control measures to prevent the virus from entering the country.

The Malaysian Ministry of Health issued a statement on the 28th, saying that it has strengthened health screenings at entry points for Nipah virus, focusing on travelers from high-risk areas. At the same time, relevant departments are strengthening cooperation, preparing for response, and improving monitoring, early warning, and emergency response capabilities. The Ministry of Health also advised the public, especially those traveling to high-risk areas, to pay attention to personal hygiene and avoid contact with sick animals or consuming contaminated food.

Vietnamese media reported on the 28th that the Vietnamese Ministry of Health issued an emergency notice to health and disease control departments across the country, requiring them to strengthen Nipah virus prevention and control at border crossings, medical institutions, and communities, closely monitor inbound travelers, and ensure early detection and rapid handling of suspected cases. As of the 27th, Vietnam had not reported any cases of Nipah virus infection.

Indonesia and Thailand have also strengthened screenings at major airports, requiring inbound travelers to make health declarations and undergo temperature checks. Myanmar’s health authorities are advising the public to avoid travel to West Bengal, India, and are strengthening temperature checks on arrivals from India at airports.

Nipah virus belongs to the Hennipavirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family and is an RNA virus. According to the World Health Organization and other organizations, the incubation period for Nipah virus disease is generally 4 to 14 days, but can be as long as 45 days. Due to differences in epidemiological surveillance and clinical treatment capabilities in outbreak areas, the mortality rate varies from 40% to 75%.

Currently, there are no specific drugs or vaccines for Nipah virus disease. Preventive measures include thoroughly washing and peeling fruits before consumption; wearing protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals and their tissues; and avoiding close contact with infected individuals without protection.

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) concluded in Hanoi on March 23. The Congress adopted a resolution outlining Vietnam’s socio-economic development plan for the next five years and its future development direction, aiming to achieve double-digit average annual economic growth from 2026 to 2030.

In his closing remarks, CPV General Secretary To Lam stated that the 14th CPV Congress was a new milestone in the history of the Communist Party of Vietnam. With a strategic vision, the Congress tasked the new Central Committee with summarizing the experiences of 40 years of implementing the “Program for National Building in the Transition to Socialism” and 100 years of the CPV leading the Vietnamese revolution, thus charting the course for the nation’s century-long development beyond 2030. The Congress called on Party organizations at all levels to quickly study and implement the resolution, mobilizing all resources and leveraging all strengths to successfully complete the goals and tasks set forth by the Congress.

At a press conference following the closing ceremony, To Lam said that the 14th CPV Congress achieved a high degree of consensus not only on the content of its documents and action program but also on the selection of members for the 14th Central Committee. The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) also unanimously adopted numerous historic decisions aimed at achieving the “two centenary goals” for Vietnam’s founding and nation-building.

The 14th CPV officially opened on May 20th, with 1,586 delegates representing the more than 5.6 million members of the Communist Party of Vietnam in attendance. On May 22nd, the Congress elected a 200-member 14th Central Committee, including 180 members and 20 alternate members. The first plenary session of the 14th CPV Central Committee was held on May 23rd, electing a new leadership, with To Lam elected General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee.