JAKARTA, Jan 27 — International travellers arriving in Indonesia are subject to strengthened health screening and monitoring at entry points as authorities step up precautionary measures against the potential spread of the Nipah virus.
ANTARA News Agency reported the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport's Health Quarantine Centre's (BBKK) head Naning Nugrahini as saying that every traveller would now be required to submit a health declaration before arriving in Indonesia through the Olimnesia platform.
“Whether there is a virus or not, we already have the Olimnesia system. It includes a health declaration, so travellers are asked to provide their health status before arriving in Indonesia as part of efforts to assess their physical condition.
“If there are travellers from affected countries — for example, as cases are currently being widely reported in India — we have the profile of aircraft on direct flights from India to Jakarta, and we will assess whether anyone is symptomatic.
"If there is, officers will board the aircraft to conduct further checks,” she said today.
Naning added that airport authorities have also set up special inspection posts in terminal areas equipped with thermal scanners, while health officers conduct visual checks of passengers.
The level of monitoring and screening would be adjusted dynamically in line with the latest developments.
So far, no cases of Nipah virus have been detected in Indonesia; however, the authorities remain on alert.
She said that the BBKK have also coordinated with the animal quarantine authorities to prevent the spread of the Nipah virus, which can originate from animals like bats, monkeys, and pigs.
