SINGAPORE, 23 FEBRUARY 2026 – Following the call by Duke-NUS Medical School for early detection and preparedness against potential imported Nipah virus cases, regional partners are now moving to strengthen technical coordination across Asia.

Early detection and rapid diagnostics remain central to managing emerging infectious threats, as previously highlighted by Professor Wang Linfa from Duke-NUS’ Emerging Infectious Diseases Signature Research Programme. While human transmission of Nipah virus remains limited in Asia, experts say laboratories should begin building capabilities ahead of time, rather than in response to an outbreak.

Building on this, the Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Asia PGI) at the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (COP), working with partners including the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge and the Tata Institute for Genetics & Society, is coordinating laboratory and bioinformatics consultations to enhance regional detection of Nipah virus. The effort focuses on strengthening molecular and genomic surveillance, including the use of wastewater and environmental monitoring as an early-warning tool — an approach previously used during outbreaks of polio, Zika and Mpox.

A targeted survey has been launched to help match regional labs’ needs with technical support, including access to RT‑qPCR and next-generation sequencing reagents. Laboratories interested in participation can contact Asia PGI at Duke‑NUS (cop@duke-nus.edu.sg).