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Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus. Photo: Antara
Indonesia Tightens Health Quarantine to Prevent Nipah Virus Entry
Fajar Nugraha • 3 February 2026 15:39
Jakarta: Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus has emphasized the strengthening of health quarantine measures as a key preventive step to block the entry of the Nipah virus into Indonesia, following the detection of cases in India since September.
“Strict control is the most important thing. With tight control, our health quarantine system must be strengthened,” Octavianus said at the Presidential Palace on Monday, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
“Whenever I visit an airport in Indonesia, I always check the Health Quarantine Center. At Soekarno-Hatta Airport, every terminal—both arrivals and departures—has one. From what I have seen, the system is in good condition," said Octavianus.
He explained that the Nipah virus is highly infectious and has a high fatality rate, although the total number of cases worldwide remains relatively limited compared to Covid-19.
“So far, there have only been two cases in India, and local authorities have implemented strict measures, including area restrictions in affected regions,” he said.
Octavianus added that several other countries, including Thailand, have also tightened airport surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Thailand is very strict at its airports, and India has also imposed controls. However, globally, total cases have not reached 1,000 since 1998. It is not like Covid-19, but if someone is infected, the virus is highly dangerous,” he noted.
He stressed that the Nipah virus has not been detected in Indonesia to date, but vigilance must be maintained, particularly at national entry points such as airports and seaports.
Regarding symptoms, Octavianus said the virus typically begins with fever but can progress to severe respiratory infections, including pneumonia, with a high risk of death.
“It is a very dangerous virus. However, with only two cases among India’s 1.5 billion population, we remain calm but alert, and we will continue strengthening controls at all entry points,” he concluded.