‘Low risk, travel curbs not needed’: WHO reacts on Nipah virus cases in India | India News

The risk of the Nipah virus outbreak spreading in India is ‘low’, so there is no need for travel or trade restrictions after two cases of virus infection were reported in the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

This development follows the introduction of enhanced screening measures by many Asian countries for incoming travelers to detect possible signs of the virus.

In a statement published on its website, the World Health Organization said there was no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission, adding that national, regional and global risk levels remained low. WHO assessed the sub-national risk in West Bengal as moderate.

The two infections were detected in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. According to the World Health Organization, cases are limited to that region and patients do not travel while experiencing symptoms.

“The likelihood of spread to other states of India or internationally is assessed to be low,” the Global Health Agency said.

What is Nipah virus?

According to the World Health Organization, Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease transmitted mostly from bats to humans, sometimes through contaminated food or close contact.

Nipah virus can cause fever as well as brain swelling (encephalitis), and the mortality rate is estimated to be between 40% and 75%.
It has the capacity to spread between humans, although transmission is not very efficient and typically requires close, prolonged contact.

Symptoms of Nipah virus

The initial symptoms of Nipah infection, including fever, headache, and muscle aches, are quite general and can be easily confused with other common illnesses.
These may progress to neurological symptoms suggestive of acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Some people also experience severe breathing difficulties.

In severe cases, seizures may develop and potentially lead to a coma within a few days. While most survivors make a full recovery, some patients remain with persistent neurological problems.

There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for Nipah virus.

Nipah epidemics in India

According to WHO, Nipah outbreaks in the Southeast Asia Region were historically limited to Bangladesh and India.

This marks the seventh Nipah outbreak recorded in India and the third case in West Bengal, after earlier incidents in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia in 2007. The affected areas are close to Bangladesh, where Nipah outbreaks are reported almost every year.

The virus is transmitted to humans mostly from bats, either through direct contact or through contaminated food. It can also spread from animals such as pigs to humans, and sometimes between humans through close, prolonged contact, especially in healthcare settings.