DENPASAR, Bali — Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has begun reactivating thermal scanning equipment and temperature checks, a familiar sight from the COVID-19 pandemic, as a precautionary measure against the spread of a new influenza strain entering Indonesia.
Airport General Manager Nugroho Jati confirmed on Monday that the infrastructure used previously is being readied for deployment at both domestic and international terminals. The scanners will be positioned at the main passenger arrival and departure channels, key points of entry and exit for the island.
“Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport is one of the main gateways to Bali. As a result, anticipatory steps need to be taken early,” Jati explained. He noted that while symptoms of the so-called “super flu“—an influenza A (H3N2) subclade K virus—are reportedly similar to common influenza, one key indicator is an elevated body temperature, which the scanners are designed to detect.
The airport’s move is a proactive local measure as it awaits formal national health protocols. “All equipment and supporting systems are currently operating in good condition. However, for further developments regarding health handling and policy, Ngurah Rai Airport is still waiting for official direction from the Ministry of Health,” Jati stated.
The national health ministry reported the first confirmed infections of this influenza subclade in Indonesia on December 25, 2025, with 62 cases sequenced across eight provinces. Health authorities have indicated that, based on current World Health Organization assessments, the strain does not show signs of increased severity compared to typical seasonal flu.
For the global travelers, expatriates, and tourists who form Bali’s lifeblood, the sight of thermal scanners may evoke a sense of déjà vu. However, the action signals the airport authority’s intent to implement layered, non-intrusive screenings as a first line of awareness, aiming to balance robust public health vigilance with maintaining smooth operations at one of the world’s most iconic island destinations.
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