GHealth News – The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that the risk of the deadly Nipah virus spreading beyond India is low, despite recent confirmed cases in the eastern state of West Bengal. WHO officials said there’s currently no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission and no travel or trade restrictions are recommended at this time.
Two health workers in West Bengal contracted the virus in late December and are under medical care, while Indian health authorities have traced and tested more than 190 contacts-with no additional infections detected so far.
Nipah virus, which is carried by fruit bats and certain animals, can cause severe symptoms including fever and brain inflammation, and has historically shown a high fatality rate (40–75%). There are no licensed vaccines or specific treatments currently available, which is why the pathogen is classified as a WHO priority.
Several Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, have enhanced airport health screenings to monitor travellers, but experts say small outbreaks are not unusual and India has the capacity to contain the situation.
(Reuters)