Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia introduce airport screening for hantavirus; India deploys 'viral shield'

Following the outbreak of hantavirus on a Dutch cruise ship, in which a few Indians were also present, various countries have introduced airport screenings for safety. Indonesia has introduced the measures at its Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. Monitoring is increased, especially for passengers arriving from countries where virus cases are reported. Thailand, too, has tightened border screening. In Vietnam, the Hanoi Centre for Disease Control (CDC Hanoi) will monitor passengers transiting and entering through Noi Bai International Airport to detect suspected cases and ensure isolation if required. Cambodia has also set up preventive and screening measures at the Techo International Airport.

The checks in place
The safety checks at the airports in various countries include:
a) Thermal scanner checks
b) Visual observation
c) Health declarations
d) Additional checks for flights from the US, Argentina, Paraguay, and Panama, where the virus is reported. Indonesia has also dedicated ambulances equipped with decontamination systems to transport passengers exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease. Authorities will also assess the travel history and contact lists of suspected patients. The observation period can last around 40 days or more, depending on the severity.

India's 165-lab viral shield
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) says it has mobilised a network of 165 special labs to ensure that the virus does not breach Indian borders. They call the arrangement a 'viral shield.' The two Indians aboard the MV Hondius, where the hantavirus spread, are currently in quarantine in the Netherlands. They are asymptomatic at the moment.