Health officials in India are raising concerns about the detection of the Nipah Virus, a zoonotic disease known to be deadly and currently untreatable. The virus has been identified in West Bengal, near Kolkata, prompting increased health screenings in regional countries and containment efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified fruit bats as the natural hosts of the Nipah virus. Transmission can occur through various routes, including from pigs, through contaminated food, and via direct human-to-human contact.
The recent outbreak has prompted authorities to implement contact tracing and quarantine measures. As of this week, three new infections have been reported. Earlier reports indicate that two nurses working at private hospitals near Kolkata, West Bengal, were suspected of being infected after working together between December 28 and December 30. Both healthcare professionals developed high fevers and experienced respiratory distress between December 31 and January 2.
The Nipah virus was included in China's updated list of monitored infectious diseases in December 2024. China's capacity to monitor the virus through next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows for rapid diagnosis, source tracing, and long-term monitoring of viral evolution. This technology also aids in assessing public health risks and guiding medical countermeasures. Tertiary hospitals and port disease control centers within China's surveillance system serve as key sentinel sites, equipped with nucleic acid detection capabilities for timely viral monitoring.
Symptoms of Nipah virus infection typically include fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation, and mental confusion. These can progress to encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, and seizures, potentially leading to coma. Respiratory distress can also be a prominent feature of the infection. The case fatality rate for Nipah virus infections is estimated to be high, making it a significant public health concern.
While there is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available for Nipah virus infection, intensive supportive care is essential. This includes managing respiratory and neurological complications. Prevention strategies focus on reducing the risk of transmission. These include avoiding contact with bats and pigs in endemic areas, not consuming raw date palm sap, and practicing meticulous hand hygiene.
The public is urged to stay informed and adhere to guidelines issued by health authorities to prevent the spread of the virus.
