What you need to know about Nipah virus as cases reported in India
An outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus in India’s West Bengal state has raised concerns in Asia, prompting some countries to step up airport screening.
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Some countries are on high alert after two cases of the deadly, intractable virus were reported in India this week.
India’s Ministry of Health announced on Monday, January 26, that two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata in West Bengal state were diagnosed with the Nipah virus, and one was in a “critical condition”.
This virus has a high mortality rate and is more likely to cause severe illness. Following the announcement, airports in some Asian countries tightened procedures, but Indian health officials said the spread of the virus was under control.
Here’s what you need to know about Nipah virus.
What is Nipah virus?
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease and can be transmitted from animals to humans. The virus is transmitted by fruit bats and was first discovered in 1999 after outbreaks in pigs and humans in Malaysia and Singapore, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fruit bats, which transmit the virus, are found throughout Asia, the South Pacific, and Australia, but outbreaks have only been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malaysia and Singapore have not reported an outbreak since 1999, while India and Bangladesh have had regular outbreaks since 2001, including one case in India this year.
The virus is most commonly transmitted from animal to animal and from animal to human by direct contact, but it can also be transmitted through contaminated food or from person to person.
According to the CDC and WHO, approximately 40-70% of people infected with the Nipah virus die.
What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?
The incubation period, the time between being infected with the virus and showing symptoms, is typically 3 to 14 days, but can take up to 45 days, according to the CDC and WHO.
Although some people are asymptomatic, most people develop the following symptoms:
- heat
- headache
- cough
- sore throat
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- cold
- fatigue
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- confusion
- vomiting
- diarrhea
This virus is closely associated with encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, and can cause more severe illness. People who exhibit neurological symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, fatigue, and seizures are more likely to experience severe illness, coma, or death.
According to the WHO, most people who survive make a full recovery, but about one in five people who recover from the disease suffer long-term neurological symptoms.
There are currently no treatments or vaccines available for Nipah virus. Treatment includes supportive care and symptom management, and early intensive treatment improves survival.
Does Nipah virus exist in the United States?
As of January 30, there are no Nipah virus cases in the United States.
