A surge of the is currently being reported in West Bengal, located in northeastern India. Key information about this deadly disease has been compiled by The Guardian.
The Nipah virus is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. In rare cases, it can also spread from person to person. It is characterized by a high mortality rate, and there is currently no available, as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
What do you need to know about this deadly virus?
Following the confirmation of five Nipah virus cases in India, airports across Asia have been placed on high alert.
The government has not provided details about the infected patients but stated that nearly 200 individuals who were in close contact with them have been tested. The Indian Ministry of Health assured that the virus has been “contained in a timely manner.”
Nipah is transmitted to humans from , such as pigs and bats, either through direct contact or via secretions.
The virus can incubate in the body for 4 to 14 days. Initial symptoms include high fever, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory issues, which can escalate into pneumonia. In severe cases, dangerous swelling of the brain can occur, accompanied by neurological symptoms such as drowsiness and seizures.
The WHO considers the virus to pose a high risk of outbreaks, as there is no vaccine available. The mortality rate ranges from 40 to 75 percent, significantly higher than that of COVID-19.
When have previous outbreaks occurred?
The disease was first identified in 1998 among pig farmers in Malaysia, resulting in over 100 deaths. The virus was named after the village where it was discovered.
Since then, outbreaks of this deadly disease have been reported in Asian countries almost every year, particularly in Bangladesh (most frequently), India, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Notably, the first case in India was documented in 2001 in West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh.
The virus is primarily associated with the collection of date palm sap in Bangladesh, where infected fruit bats often reside in these palm trees.
In 2018, at least 17 people died from the Nipah virus in the Indian state of Kerala, and in 2023, two more fatalities were reported.
How are countries protecting their populations from the disease?
The Nipah virus has returned to West Bengal for the first time since 2007.
The Indian Ministry of Health announced the swift implementation of “enhanced epidemiological measures, laboratory analyses, and field investigations to ensure the timely containment of the disease.” Officials assured that “the situation is under constant surveillance.”
Meanwhile, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, and Vietnam are thoroughly screening all arrivals into their countries. The Myanmar authorities have advised against non-essential travel to West Bengal. Additionally, China has intensified disease control measures in border areas.
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