WHO assessed Nipah virus risk as low on Friday, January 30, stressing no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission in India.
WHO Assesses Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) informed Reuters in an email on Friday, January 30, that the risk of Nipah virus spreading from India is “small”. The statement noted, “There is no evidence yet of increased transmission of the virus from person to person”.
Additionally, WHO stated that India has the capability to contain outbreaks of the virus. The situation is, however, being continuously monitored by WHO, which is cooperating with Indian health authorities on the matter.
Virus Sparks Concern
According to reports, the virus circulates in bat populations inhabiting parts of India and neighboring Bangladesh. The detection of two cases of infection in India has caused concern in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, where airport controls have been tightened to prevent the spread of infection.
WHO has not issued any recommendations regarding travel restrictions or trade limitations.
What is Nipah Virus?
The Nipah virus was first recorded in 1998 in Malaysia. It was subsequently detected in Singapore in 1999. Since then, neither of these countries has experienced an epidemic. Outbreaks of infection occurred in India and Bangladesh in 2001. Citizens of the latter country face the pathogen annually, while in India, its outbreaks occur periodically.
Nipah Symptoms
Infection can occur through contact with contaminated food or an infected animal. If this happens, the patient may develop fever and symptoms such as headache, disorientation, difficulty breathing, or cough. The disease can also lead to brain swelling and death.
“Currently, there is no available treatment or vaccine against the Nipah virus, however, work is underway on several candidates,” WHO informed.
