Australian authorities are on high alert concerning the potential threat posed by the deadly Nipah virus, as confirmed by Health Minister Mark Butler. The situation has prompted a close watch from the federal government, especially following the implementation of enhanced biosecurity measures for travelers at Asian airports.

Speaking on the Today show this morning, Butler reassured the public, stating, “We have very clear protocols for sick travelers as they’re coming in from wherever they might be coming across the globe.” He emphasized that, although no changes to these protocols have been advised at this point, the situation is being monitored daily.

This heightened vigilance follows an incident last December when two health workers in India contracted the virus, which is noted for its high mortality rate. The Australian government remains vigilant, taking any potential threat from the virus very seriously to safeguard public health.

“We’ve got no advice to change those protocols at this stage, but we’re monitoring really on a daily basis.”

He was speaking after two health workers in India last December contracted the illness, which has a high mortality rate.

To date, a range of nearly 200 of their contacts have been asymptomatic.

The Nipah virus, first recorded in 1999 in Malaysia, is a virus natively found in bats that can be transferred to other animals and humans.

It can also be transferred to humans via food, including fruit.

Butler says human-to-human transmission of the virus was very difficult.

“But if you do get it, the mortality rate is very, very high between 40 per cent and 75 per cent,” he said.

“So we’re taking it seriously.”

The Nipah virus is chiefly found in south-east Asian countries including Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Singapore, though signs of the virus in bats have also been found in Indonesia and as far flung as Ghana.

They include following good hygiene protocols and avoiding contact with animals, especially monkeys and bats.

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