India has confirmed two cases of Nipah virus, a possibly deadly virus spread from bats to humans, sparking public health concern. Here’s what you need to know about how this virus transmits and the risks it poses.
Nipah Virus Outbreak in India
Two nurses in West Bengal have tested positive for the virus, prompting health officials to monitor nearly 200 contacts.
- indian health authorities state the outbreak in West Bengal is currently under control, a position supported by the World Health Organization.
The National Center for Disease Control confirmed the two cases in West Bengal.The patients, both 25-year-old nurses-one male and one female-work at a private hospital in Barasat. They initially showed symptoms in early December and were isolated in January. As of now, health authorities in India have examined 196 people who had contact with the patients; none have exhibited symptoms.
Though, due to the virus’s long incubation period, ranging from 4 to 45 days, authorities will continue exhaustive epidemiological surveillance for another three months. The outbreak will only be declared over if no further cases emerge in the region during that time.
“The situation is under constant monitoring and all necessary public health measures have been taken,”
India’s response has been backed by the World Health organization (WHO). the WHO has stated that India has the capacity to control the current outbreak, having successfully managed past cases since the virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1998.
How Does Nipah Virus Spread?
The WHO explains that the Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it primarily transmits from animals to people. Human-to-human transmission and spread through contaminated food are less common. The virus can spread through contamination of fruits-like dates or palm juice-with infected bat fluids,such as saliva or urine.
In outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, the most likely source of infection was consuming fruits or fruit products contaminated with bat urine or saliva.
The organization notes that limited person-to-person transmission can occur,particularly between family members and caregivers of infected patients. The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, but can extend up to 45 days.
The primary route of infection for humans is through pigs and other domestic animals, including horses, goats, sheep, cats, and dogs. The Nipah virus often presents with respiratory symptoms, but in severe cases, it can cause lethal encephalitis. Initially,infected individuals experience flu-like symptoms,such as fever,headache,vomiting,and sore throat.
These symptoms may progress to dizziness,drowsiness,and altered consciousness. subsequently, neurological signs indicative of acute encephalitis appear.
According to the WHO, most people who survive the encephalitis caused by the Nipah virus recover fully, although chronic neurological conditions have been reported in some survivors. The estimated fatality rate of the nipah virus is 40% to 75%.
