A Deadly Virus with a Rapid Progression
The Nipah virus progresses swiftly,initially presenting with fever,headache,and muscle pain before escalating to respiratory failure and acute encephalitis,often leading to death. According to Associate Professor Tran Dak Phu, a former head of the Department of Preventive Medicine, close surveillance is crucial due to the virus’s dangerous nature and high fatality rate.
Associate Professor Tran Dak Phu, formerly with the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of proactive measures.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. Fruit bats are the natural reservoir for this virus. Transmission can also occur between people, especially when infection control protocols are lacking during treatment. Several outbreaks in India have included infections among healthcare workers, highlighting the risk within hospital settings.
The 1998 outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore, centered around pig farms, remains a meaningful historical event. Infection at that time primarily occurred through direct contact with infected pigs or contaminated pork.While no new cases have been reported in Malaysia since, bats continue to be a primary concern, and pigs are still considered an intermediate host capable of increasing transmission risk.
Protect Yourself: Avoiding Animal Contact is Key
As of January 27, 2026, Vietnam has not reported any cases of Nipah virus infection. Though, Phu believes two factors warrant close attention when assessing the risk of the virus entering Vietnam. The first is the potential for importation from individuals returning from endemic areas, including India and other previously affected countries.
Secondly, Vietnam’s location within the asian region, where fruit bats are prevalent, presents a continuous risk. While no cases have been reported in Vietnam to date, the possibility of the virus circulating within animal populations, particularly bats, requires ongoing monitoring. These bats can carry pathogens and travel considerable distances, potentially transmitting diseases to pigs and, afterward, to humans.
“We need plans and recommendations to detect cases early,isolate them quickly,and effectively control their spread to prevent them from spreading into the community,” Phu emphasized.
