US EditionWHO: Nipah Virus Outbreak in India Poses Low Global Risk
Two confirmed Nipah virus cases in West Bengal have led to quarantine of 196 contacts and regional airport screenings amid concerns over the virus's 40-75% fatality rate.
- On Tuesday, India's Health Ministry said it had contained a Nipah outbreak after confirming two confirmed cases in West Bengal state, India, and tracing 196 contacts who tested negative.
- As a zoonotic virus, Nipah spreads via fruit bats and contaminated foods, and because no proven treatment or vaccine exists, care relies on supportive care.
- On January 13, health officials confirmed two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata with hospital transmission; one nurse is in critical condition, while 180 people were tested and 20 high-risk contacts quarantined.
- Across the region, countries have stepped up airport measures as Singapore's CDA starts temperature screening on Jan 28 and Thailand began checks at three airports on Jan 25.
- WHO data show the fatality rate for Nipah is between 40% and 75%, its basic reproduction number is 0.5, and more than 750 cases have occurred globally since 1998 with symptoms appearing after four to 21 days.
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397 Articles
Health confirms two cases of Nipah virus in India and evaluates the risk for Spain as very low
A consortium of Chinese scientists has published promising results suggesting that an antiviral drug initially developed for covid could be effective against the Nipah virus, a highly lethal pathogen that currently lacks approved treatments or vaccines.This finding comes at a time of growing international concern, after new cases were recorded in the Indian state of West Bengal, where the virus has affected both the civilian population and healt…
Nipah virus fears trigger airport checks across Asia after India confirms two cases
Two cases of the deadly Nipah virus in India have prompted authorities in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia to step up airport screening in an effort to prevent the infection from spreading.
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