Airports throughout Asia have been placed on excessive alert after India confirmed two circumstances of the lethal Nipah virus within the state of West Bengal over the previous month.
Thailand, Nepal and Vietnam are among the many international locations screening airport arrivals over fears of an wider outbreak of the virus, which may unfold from animals to people and has a excessive fatality price.
The Indian well being ministry has confirmed two circumstances within the state of West Bengal since December however mentioned there had been a “well timed containment” of the virus.
The federal government didn’t give particulars on the contaminated sufferers however mentioned virtually 200 shut contacts had been examined and no additional outbreaks had been detected.
What’s the Nipah virus and why is it so lethal?
Nipah virus is primarily transmitted to people from animals reminiscent of pigs and fruit bats, both by direct contact or by way of their secretions.
It may incubate within the physique for a interval of 4 to 14 days. The preliminary signs of the virus are sometimes excessive fever, nausea, vomiting and respiratory issues, which may then become pneumonia. In extreme circumstances it causes a harmful swelling of the mind that may result in neurological signs reminiscent of drowsiness and seizures.
Whereas human to human transmission is low, it’s seen by the World Well being Group as a excessive threat for epidemics as a result of there isn’t a vaccine. It has a excessive fatality price of 40% to 75%, far deadlier than Covid-19.
When have been earlier outbreaks?
The illness was first recognized in 1998 amongst pig farmers in Malaysia, when it killed greater than 100 folks. It was named after the village the place it was found.
Since then, outbreaks have been detected virtually yearly throughout Asia in international locations together with India, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. It has routinely emerged in Bangladesh and the primary case in India was in 2001 in West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh.
It has been linked to the harvesting of uncooked date sap in Bangladesh, as fruit bats usually reside in date palms.
In 2018, not less than 17 folks died from Nipah virus within the Indian state of Kerala, and two extra died in 2023.
How are the authorities dealing with the newest outbreak?
The Indian well being authorities mentioned: “Enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and discipline investigations have been undertaken … which ensured well timed containment of the circumstances.”
Up to now, not more than two circumstances have been detected since December. “The state of affairs is underneath fixed monitoring and all obligatory public well being measures are in place,” the Indian well being ministry mentioned.
Nonetheless, different international locations have stepped up precautionary screening measures at airports and borders. Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia have launched extra screening, together with temperature checks and well being declarations of passengers arriving from India. Myanmar suggested towards nonessential journey to West Bengal and China has strengthened illness prevention measures in its border areas.
India mentioned studies of a surge in circumstances have been “speculative and incorrect”.
