Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
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The Government has assured the public that health authorities have stepped up efforts to maintain strict vigilance at the country’s airports to prevent the entry of the Nipah virus, amidst an influx of tourist arrivals.
Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Tuesday, Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Health Ministry has already taken steps to detect all passengers arriving in the country through airports and ports.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of these measures given the record number of tourist arrivals to the country. “With the increase in tourist arrivals, we are extremely on alert. The Health Ministry is fully prepared to take necessary actions,” he added. He made these remarks responding to concerns about whether specific quarantine or detection mechanisms are in place at the airport, especially given the ongoing ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, which attracts a large number of foreign visitors.
“Even before the recent death was reported in Bangladesh, we had already commenced necessary monitoring activities at the airport regarding all incoming tourists,” Dr. Jayatissa said.
The Minister acknowledged the high fatality rate associated with the Nipah virus, noting that it presents a different challenge compared to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he assured that the health sector is operating with full awareness and is ready to take all necessary precautions.
