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Pattaya on alert: health risk from flying foxes!
Residents in Pattaya are worried about health risks from flying foxes and the Nipah virus reported from India.
Pattaya on alert: health risk from flying foxes!
In Pattaya, an urgent health issue is causing unrest among residents. Large colonies of flying foxes, locally known as “Khangkhao Mae Kai,” have taken up residence in the roadside trees along the Pattaya-Naklua Road. Residents' concerns are high, especially given recent reports of an outbreak of the Nipah virus from India on January 25th. Five confirmed infections have been reported in the state of West Bengal here, alarming health authorities.
The Nipah virus, already considered a high health risk, has a mortality rate higher than that of COVID-19. The main vector is flying foxes, and transmission can occur from animals to humans. But this not only poses risks for people, but also for pets and farm animals such as pigs, horses, cats, goats and sheep.
Health risks and local concerns
Resident Ms. Prasong has observed thousands of bats congregating in the trees in the early morning and evening hours. “People are concerned because the Nipah virus can be transmitted from bats to humans,” she said. This situation is further compounded by the bat droppings that cover the ground beneath the trees. This fact has increased calls for rapid action by the authorities.
The responsible health authorities have already warned that person-to-person transmission is possible primarily through direct contact with the body fluids of infected people. The residents want all the more that the situation is examined by the local authorities and that measures are taken in a timely manner.
Measures and outlook
A property owner has tried to trim the trees back, but the flying foxes keep returning as soon as the branches grow back. This speaks volumes about the animals' tenacity and the challenges faced by local residents.
Community health concerns are palpable, and residents sincerely hope their concerns are taken seriously. Quick intervention could not only ease their worries, but also the potential health risks associated with the Nipah virus.
The situation remains tense and social significance is of utmost importance at this time. Residents in Pattaya are hoping for quick action from the authorities and an end to this health threat. As Pattaya Mail reports, the community is concerned about the safety and health of everyone and is closely following developments on this worrying matter.