KATHMANDU, JANUARY 22 The government has heightened its alert to prevent the entry of the Nipah virus into Nepal, following its spread in neighbouring West Bengal, India. Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, announced that adequate measures have been put in place to prevent the infection from entering the country. He informed that the government has begun screening individuals arriving in Nepal through Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and border points with India. 'We have specifically intensified surveillance at border points in Koshi Province. Health checks have also been ordered for people entering Nepal through other border crossings,' he stated. Spokesperson Budhathoki warned that Nipah virus infections could have fatal consequences if not treated promptly. He noted that the mortality rate among infected individuals ranges from 30 to 33 percent. The virus spreads through pigs, bats, and infected humans.