TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Director of the Postgraduate Program at YARSI University, Indonesia, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, discussed the emergence of the Nipah virus, which has been spreading in South and Southeast Asia.
Currently, reported human cases are limited to India, though previous outbreaks occurred in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. The virus is naturally carried by fruit bats of the genus Pteropus and can be transmitted to humans directly or indirectly through contaminated food.
“Although there have been no human cases in Indonesia, it is important to be aware of three scientific studies documenting Nipah virus in bats across several provinces in the country,” Tjandra told Tempo on January 6, 2026.
The first study, conducted by Indrawati Sendow, Atik Ratnawati, and Trevor Taylor, and published in the international journal PLoS in July 2013, provided the first molecular evidence of Nipah virus in Pteropus vampyrus bats in Sumatra.
“This virus is indistinguishable from the virus detected in Pteropus vampyrus bats in Peninsular Malaysia,” Tjandra said. He added that genetic analyses show sequences from Indonesia and Malaysia are more closely related to each other than to those from Bangladesh or India.
A second study by Dimas Bagus Wicaksono Putro, Arief Mulyono, and colleagues examined 64 fruit bats from animal markets in Yogyakarta (37 bats) and Magelang (27 bats).
Two bats from Magelang tested positive for Nipah virus. Published in Emerging Infectious Diseases in April 2025, the research found that the positive bats carried the Malaysian genotype, related to viruses in Pteropus bats in Cambodia and Thailand.
“This indicates a strong genetic link for Nipah virus across Southeast Asia and suggests the potential for regional transmission,” Tjandra said.
The third study, led by Indrawati Sendow and Hume Field, conducted serological testing showing Nipah infections in Pteropus vampyrus bats in Indonesia, though no infections were found in pigs.
Published in the Indonesian Journal of Biology, the study emphasizes that the absence of infection in pigs does not guarantee immunity for livestock.
“These studies highlight the importance of a One Health approach, coordinating human, animal, and environmental health in Indonesia,” Tjandra said.
Preventive Measures in Indonesia
While no human cases have been detected in Indonesia, authorities are taking precautions. Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang, in coordination with the Class I Health Quarantine Office, has implemented thermal scanning of international arrivals.
Passengers with elevated temperatures are subject to further observation and checks.
“All international arrivals must also complete the All Indonesia app,” said Arif Haryanto, Head of Branch Communication & CSR at the airport.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung confirmed that no cases have been detected in the capital. “Until now, Nipah virus has not been found in Jakarta. I have communicated with the Health Minister and requested preventive measures be taken immediately,” he said on February 3, 2026.
Symptoms of Nipah virus infection in the early stage include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat. Advanced symptoms may involve breathing difficulties, pneumonia, and encephalitis.
Epidemiologist Dicky Budiman of Griffith University noted that the virus has a case fatality rate of 40–75 percent.
The Indonesian Ministry of Health has issued Circular Letter No. HK.02.02/C/445/2026, dated January 30, 2026, instructing hospitals and regional health offices to remain vigilant.
The Director-General of Disease Control, Murti Utami, emphasized that Nipah is a zoonotic emerging virus in the Henipavirus genus and Paramyxoviridae family. It can spread from bats to humans directly or via intermediary animals like pigs, as well as through contaminated food or drink. Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact.
Manifestations range from mild to severe respiratory infections to encephalitis, which can be fatal.
Read: Semarang Airport Screens Passengers for Nipah Virus
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