A UK expert has issued a warning following the detection of the Nipah virus in India. Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, advises vigilance but suggests the virus is "unlikely to pose a significant risk of global spread".

The recent outbreak in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, involves two confirmed cases. Both individuals are healthcare workers who have been hospitalized and are receiving treatment with Remdesivir. Indian authorities report that the outbreak is contained, with all contacts of those infected quarantined and tested. Prior to this outbreak, West Bengal experienced Nipah virus outbreaks in 2001 and 2007.

Nipah virus is classified as a high-risk pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its high fatality rate, ranging from 40% to 75% depending on the outbreak and viral strain. It is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can spread from animals to humans, and also from person to person. Fruit bats are the natural hosts of the virus. Transmission to humans can occur through direct contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated food (like raw date palm sap), or close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Symptoms of Nipah virus infection typically appear 4 to 21 days after exposure and can initially resemble a non-specific flu-like illness, including fever. Respiratory problems, including pneumonia, may also develop. A serious complication is encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis, which can occur 3 to 21 days after the initial illness and is associated with a high mortality rate. Some survivors experience long-term neurological effects, such as seizures and personality changes; in rare instances, encephalitis can recur months or years later.

Professor Hunter notes that detecting Nipah virus at borders is challenging because of the virus's long incubation period. He stated that although Nipah is a very serious infection, the risk of person-to-person transmission is low, as the R0 (the number of people that one infected person will pass on a virus to) is less than 1.0. He cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that viruses can mutate to increase infectivity.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued guidance emphasizing the importance of understanding the virus, particularly for those traveling to affected areas. The UKHSA states that the risk to most people remains very low and that no cases have ever been found in the UK. The agency highlights that Nipah virus can be spread from animals to humans, through contaminated food, or directly from person to person.

Currently, there is no specific treatment or licensed vaccine for Nipah virus infection. Treatment focuses on intensive supportive care for severe infections. Several experimental therapies are in development, including monoclonal antibodies and novel antivirals.

For those traveling to areas where Nipah virus is present, the UKHSA recommends avoiding contact with bats and sick animals, not consuming raw date palm sap, washing and peeling fruit thoroughly, wearing protective clothing when handling animals, and practicing good hand hygiene.

Several Asian countries have implemented heightened health screenings and airport surveillance for travelers arriving from India.