What is Nipah virus? Symptoms explained of killer new bug from India | World | News
World health officials are on alert after five cases of the deadly barrel-borne virus were recorded in India, sparking fears of the potential for a Covid-like pandemic. It is thought that the Nipah (NiV infection) virus, like Covid-19, originated in bats and is zoonotic, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
In the latest outbreak, it was reported that approximately 100 people were quarantined in the Indian state of West Bengal this month. According to media reports in the district, all five confirmed cases are among healthcare workers. There is no specific proven treatment for Nipah, and there is currently no preventive vaccine.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the mortality rate is between 40% and 75%, depending on local medical facilities.
According to the United Kingdom Health Safety Agency (UKHSA), Nipah virus has an incubation period of between four and 21 days before full symptoms develop.
The statement said: “Usually patients present with sudden onset, nonspecific flu-like or febrile illness. Pneumonia and other respiratory symptoms are also described as a feature, but their onset appears variable.”
The UKHSA said the most critical and fatal aspect of the disease was that it could trigger encephalitis, a potentially fatal swelling of the brain inside the skull.
Symptoms of this aspect of the disease include; Confusion or disorientation, seizures or seizures, changes in personality and behavior, difficulty speaking, weakness or loss of movement in parts of the body, and loss of consciousness.
The UKHSA added: “Encephalitis or meningitis is a key feature of NiV infection and associated symptoms usually develop between three and 21 days after the onset of the disease. Cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities are similar to those seen in other acute viral central nervous system infections.”
Disturbing legacies that may occur if a patient recovers from Nipah may include “personality changes” and “persistent seizures.”
In some cases, patients who recovered after the initial Nipah crisis have been reported to experience encephalitis again “due to relapse or reactivation of the virus” months or even years after the initial exposure.
There have never been any confirmed cases of Nipah in the UK, according to the UKHSA, but travelers to affected areas are advised to “avoid contact with bats and their environments and with sick animals”. Consumption of raw or partially fermented date palm sap and fruit that may have been partially consumed by an animal should also be avoided.
Any suspected case in England should be discussed with local infection specialists and the Imported Fever Service (IFS) (24-hour telephone service: 0844 778 8990).
