Background

 

The Communicable Diseases Agency of Singapore (“CDA”) is closely monitoring a Nipah virus (“NiV”) outbreak in West Bengal, India, marking the seventh such event since 2001. This outbreak is significant due to reported human-to-human transmission within hospitals in India, a rare but highly dangerous development.

 

The CDA is taking proactive steps to safeguard Singapore, affecting travellers, healthcare providers, and migrant worker communities by heightening vigilance and implementing public health measures.

 

Key Observations

 

• Human-to-Human Transmission: The reported spread of NiV within hospitals in West Bengal indicates a higher risk of localized outbreaks.
• Global Surveillance: While Singapore monitors its bat populations, the emergence of human-to-human transmission in a nearby region indicates the need for international data sharing and genomic surveillance platforms.
• Travel-Related Importation Risk: Inbound travellers from affected areas present a potential pathway for the virus to enter Singapore, necessitating vigilant screening and health advisories at points of entry such as temperature taking at airport gates.
• Vulnerability in High-Density Populations: The focus on migrant workers from South Asia suggests a recognition of increased risk in communities with close living or working conditions, requiring targeted surveillance for the migrant worker community in Singapore.

 

Stepped up Nationwide vigilance by CDA

 

• Mandatory Disease Notification: Medical practitioners and laboratories are required to immediately notify the CDA of all confirmed and suspected NiV cases under the Infectious Diseases Act.
• Heightened Clinical Vigilance: Hospitals and emergency departments must maintain a high index of suspicion for NiV in patients with compatible symptoms and relevant travel history.
• Public Health Advisories: Dissemination of health precautions and instructions for seeking medical attention to travellers at points of entry is crucial for early detection and prevention.
• Targeted Community Surveillance: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is stepping up surveillance among newly arrived migrant workers and engaging primary care providers to increase vigilance in this demographic.

 

Advisory Health Precautions when overseas

 

To reduce the risk of exposure to NiV, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) advises individuals travelling to affected areas to maintain vigilance and adopt the following health precautions when overseas:

• Avoid food and drinks potentially contaminated by bats, such as raw date palm sap, and fruit found on the ground.
• Avoid direct contact with unwell persons.
• Avoid direct contact with animals (especially bats and pigs) and bat roosting areas.
• Consume fully cooked food.
• Maintain good personal hygiene.

 

What’s Next for Financial Institutions

 

Singapore FIs are advised to review and update their Business Continuity Management plans and ensure that in the event of key personnel absence from work that there is prompt contingency coverage plans to sustain services to customers.