Virologist warns of Nipah virus risk from batsListen to this articleFruit bats sleeping in trees during the day along Pattaya-Naklua Road in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, on Sunday. (Photo: Amporn Sangkaew)Thailand is at risk from the Nipah virus because it is carried by fruit bats, which are found nationwide, according to prominent virologist Yong Poovorawan. Prof Dr Yong, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday that Nipah virus disease was first detected in 1998 and 1999. Fruit bats were proved to be the carriers of the virus. He said the Nipah virus occurs naturally in fruit bats, which are found nationwide, “especially in communities, temples and orchards where the risk is relatively higher from the environment and food contaminated with the saliva and urine of bats".

Source: Bangkok Post January 25, 2026 05:35 UTC