thailand steps nipah

Thailand Steps Up Nipah Virus Watch, No Domestic Cases Found

BANGKOK – Thailand is intensifying health screenings for international arrivals following reports of a Nipah virus outbreak in India, though no cases have been detected within the kingdom. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Sunday, January 25, 2026, that enhanced precautionary measures are being implemented due to the absence of a cure or vaccine for the virus.

Thailand Confirms No Nipah Virus Cases, Urges Public Vigilance

Authorities are adapting surveillance systems originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to monitor for Nipah infections, emphasizing that the move is preventive rather than a reaction to local transmission.

Professor Yong Poovorawan, head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, provided background on the virus, which first emerged in Malaysia in 1998 and caused more than 100 deaths. He explained that environmental disruptions, such as drought and forest fires, can drive fruit bats—the natural carriers of the virus—into new areas, potentially spreading the pathogen to pigs and then to humans.

Nipah virus infection presents with high fever, muscle pain, and respiratory distress, with an incubation period of about four to five days. The disease progresses rapidly, has a fatality rate of 40–50%, and is managed only through supportive care.

Six dead as Nipah virus spreads in Kozhikode, India

Professor Yong urged the public not to panic, noting that while fruit bats in Thailand may carry the virus, no human cases have ever been recorded in the country. Human-to-human transmission is rare and requires close contact with bodily fluids. Thailand continues to classify Nipah as a serious communicable disease and remains on high alert through its One Health monitoring network.

-Thailand News (TN)

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    Modi’s Education Minister quits as Indian yo…

    Indian youth protesters called off weeks of demonstrations and celebrated in the streets on Saturday after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government bowed to demands including calls to fix a cheating-prone exam system. The worst political crisis of Modi’s third term had peaked this week when thousands of protesters marched on parliament, with police using tear gas to control them. Young voters form a critical base of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. But youths calling themselves “cockroaches” had taken to the streets since late June, after national exam papers were leaked forcing a resit which affected 2 million students and galvanised anger about the lack of prospects for young Indians. The resignation of Pradhan, the students’ primary demand, came as a surprise because Modi’s government had refused to fix the exam system. Celebrations erupted at the Jantar Mantar protest site in the capital Delhi, with thousands of youngsters chanting victory slogans and dancing. The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party movement, which spearheaded the demonstrations, said it would end its protests. “We have done it,” said Abhijeet Dipke, CJP’s founder, to loud cheers at the site. Youngsters shouted “Jai Hind” as the national anthem played on loudspeakers and sweets were distributed. Roads around the central business district of Connaught Place near the protest site were shut amid celebrations and a swelling crowd of thousands of protesters. Delhi Metro rail stations in and around the area that were closed for much of four days this week were also opened. “Young generation is here. This is a win for the constitution,” protester Tluanga Ralte said, walking with a copy of the Indian constitution at the protest site after Pradhan’s resignation. “We are not a lazy generation.” Pradhan, 57, a senior member of Modi’s BJP and the son of a veteran party leader, had been education minister since 2021. He is only the second minister to resign following a scandal since Modi came to power in 2014. Pradhan said he resigned to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the situation. His resignation marks a significant victory for the youth-led movement, which has highlighted the systemic failures in India’s education system and the broader challenges facing young people in the country. The protests and their resolution reflect the growing political consciousness and mobilisation of India’s youth, who are increasingly demanding accountability and transparency from their leaders. The government’s concession to the protesters’ demands signals a recognition of the power of youth activism in shaping the country’s political landscape. The movement, which began as a response to exam paper leaks, has grown into a broader critique of the government’s education policies and its approach to addressing the concerns of young Indians. The victory at Jantar Mantar has inspired other youth movements across the country, with activists hoping that this momentum will lead to further reforms. The resignation of Pradhan represents a turning point in the relationship between the government and the younger generation, offering a glimmer of hope for a more responsive and accountable governance system in India. The celebrations in Delhi serve as a reminder of the power of peaceful protest and the importance of listening to the voices of the youth, who are the future of the nation. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the government will follow through on its promises to fix the exam system and address the broader concerns of India’s young population. The youth-led movement has shown that collective action can bring about change, and its legacy is likely to inspire future generations to continue fighting for their rights and aspirations. The resignation of Pradhan is a significant milestone, but the journey towards a more equitable and just education system in India is far from over. The country’s youth remain hopeful that this victory will pave the way for meaningful reforms and a brighter future for all.

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    SC orders Imran’s transfer to Shifa Hospital

    The Supreme Court has directed authorities to transfer Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment. The order was issued by a three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim were also part of the bench. The court was hearing petitions related to Imran’s medical treatment, access to his personal doctors and meetings with family members. The bench also ordered authorities to submit Imran’s complete medical record before the next hearing. Justice Waheed questioned why the court had been provided with only a summary instead of the full medical file. The judge said the court wanted the complete record to properly assess Imran’s health condition. The matter came under discussion after a medical report submitted by Adiala Jail authorities highlighted concerns about Imran’s health. Justice Waheed noted that the reports indicated abnormalities in his pulse and heart condition and suggested that his vital organs could be affected. The bench also discussed a recommendation for angiography. Justice Afghan asked whether the procedure could be performed inside the jail. The Islamabad advocate general told the court that angiography could be carried out at a hospital outside the prison. PTI lawyer Uzair Bhandari raised concerns about the cause of an alleged blood clot and requested access for Imran’s personal physicians. He sought permission for Dr Asim Yusuf and Dr Faisal Sultan to meet Imran. The court discussed the qualifications of the doctors proposed for the visit and noted that no formal challenge had been made to the doctors who had already examined the former premier. The court also addressed the issue of media statements following meetings with Imran. Bhandari assured the bench that family members and doctors would not speak to the media after meeting the PTI founder. The Islamabad advocate general said an earlier undertaking regarding media interactions had allegedly been breached. The matter is also pending before the Islamabad High Court. Senior PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja argued that responsibility should not automatically be placed on others if an undertaking had been violated. Justice Waheed warned that if contempt proceedings were initiated against officials for violating court directions, similar action could also be considered against lawyers or other individuals who breached court orders. The bench said the PTI and Imran’s family would have to provide an undertaking that no media briefing would take place after meetings. Justice Afghan also urged the PTI to avoid turning Imran’s medical condition into a political dispute. The court separately examined restrictions on meetings between Imran and his sisters. Justice Waheed said meeting family members was a fundamental right and should not be treated as a special favour. Authorities told the court that Imran had met his sisters 48 times during the past three years. The court ordered officials to submit complete details of all those meetings. It also sought records concerning Imran’s communication with his sons, including call detail records. The bench further directed authorities to provide comprehensive information about the cases against Imran. The court wants details of cases in which he is an under-trial prisoner, cases resulting in convictions and matters where sentences have been suspended. Adiala Jail officials were summoned to appear before the court at the next hearing. The court also questioned the implementation of Islamabad High Court directions concerning meetings with Imran. The Islamabad advocate general said the matter was pending before the high court in an intra-court appeal. The hearing was adjourned until after the summer vacation. Medical report submitted to court A two-page medical report submitted by the Adiala Jail superintendent provided details of Imran’s treatment and health monitoring during his imprisonment. The report said Imran had received treatment from ophthalmologists in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for central retinal vein occlusion, an eye condition diagnosed previously. According to the report, his affected eye had shown significant improvement and had almost returned to normal vision. The report also contained a summary of 39 medical examinations conducted by various specialists between November 4, 2023 and August 10, 2026. Several government doctors examined Imran during this period. Jail authorities said records of the consultations had been maintained. Medical officers at the jail also monitored his food and fluid intake three times a day and conducted regular health checks. The report stated that Imran and his wife had been meeting every Tuesday under jail rules. A total of 84 such meetings had reportedly taken place.

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    PTI seeks immediate hospital transfer for Imran Kh…

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded the immediate transfer of party founder Imran Khan to a hospital after a medical report highlighted concerns over his blood pressure and anxiety. The demand came after a report from Adiala Jail authorities was submitted to the Supreme Court. The report contains details of Imran Khan’s latest medical condition and recommendations for his care. PTI leaders held a press conference on Monday and expressed concern over the former prime minister’s health. They called for him to be moved to a hospital where he could receive specialised medical treatment. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said Imran Khan’s elevated blood pressure was a serious concern. He demanded that the former prime minister receive the best available medical care. Gohar said Imran Khan should also be given access to his personal doctors. He demanded that his family members and lawyers should be allowed to meet him. The PTI chairman said access to Imran Khan had remained restricted for months. He claimed that party representatives had repeatedly approached the courts seeking permission for meetings. According to Gohar, the PTI had approached the high court around 25 times and the Supreme Court around 15 times over the issue. He described meetings with family members, doctors and lawyers as Imran Khan’s fundamental legal right. He urged the judiciary to address the matter and ensure that the former prime minister received appropriate medical attention. Gohar said the party’s concerns would not end until Imran Khan was provided proper medical treatment and regular access to his family and legal team. He also criticised what he described as a prolonged dispute over access to the PTI founder. Gohar said the situation had continued since October and called for an end to what he termed a “cat and mouse game”. The PTI’s demands came shortly before the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear matters concerning Imran Khan. The jail report had recommended increasing family interaction to help manage his anxiety and blood pressure. It also contained details of his medical examinations and treatment. PTI leaders argued that the reported health concerns should be treated seriously and that hospitalisation would ensure closer medical supervision. The party has also continued to call for access to Imran Khan’s personal physicians, saying they should be allowed to assess his condition independently. The issue of Imran Khan’s health has become a major political and legal point of contention. PTI leaders have repeatedly raised concerns over his medical care and restrictions on meetings.

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    Typhoon Noul has made landfall in southern China, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall to Guangdong province and neighbouring Hong Kong. The storm reached the coast of Huidong county in Huizhou, Guangdong, at around 3:50am local time on Sunday, according to China’s weather authorities. Noul was reported to be the strongest typhoon to make landfall in China so far this year. Authorities warned that heavy rain and strong winds could continue across parts of southern Guangdong and southeastern Fujian. More than 715,000 people in Guangdong had been moved to safer locations by early Sunday as authorities stepped up preparations for the storm. The number was more than double the evacuation figure reported a day earlier. The typhoon brought winds of up to 110 kilometres per hour near its centre as it moved inland across Guangdong. Weather officials said the storm would gradually weaken after making landfall, but dangerous weather conditions were expected to persist. Strong winds caused damage in several areas. Trees were uprooted in coastal Huilai county, while sections of scaffolding attached to a high-rise building in Hong Kong collapsed as Noul approached. Initial reports indicated that nobody was injured in the scaffolding incident. The storm also severely disrupted air travel. Hong Kong’s airport authorities said around 350 flights were cancelled on Sunday because of the adverse weather. At least nine people were injured in Hong Kong during the typhoon period, according to local authorities. The storm also affected Taiwan, where authorities reported rainfall in parts of the southern and eastern regions. Noul was moving away from the island after passing over waters to its south. China has faced several major tropical storms this month. Typhoon Bavi struck eastern China on July 11 after authorities evacuated more than two million people. Tropical Storm Maysak made landfall in southern China on July 3.

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