THE Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India has sparked public health concern.
There have been two confirmed cases in West Bengal since December. However, it was first detected in 1998 in Malaysia and Singapore, while 17 cases were recorded in the Philippines, specifically in Sultan Kudarat, in 2014.
What is the Nipah virus?
First thing to know about the Nipah virus is that it is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. While fruit bats are the natural carriers of the disease and were identified as the most likely cause of the outbreaks, other animals may also be infected.
According to the World Health Organization, “Outbreaks of the Nipah virus in pigs and other domestic animals such as horses, goats, sheep, cats and dogs were first reported during the initial Malaysian outbreak in 1999. The virus is highly contagious in pigs. Pigs are infectious during the incubation period, which lasts from 4 to 14 days.”
Transmission to humans happens when consuming infected animals. And it may be transmitted from human to human.
Early symptoms of the Nipah virus include intense fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, sore throat, and respiratory infection. Severe cases may have further symptoms like encephalitis or swelling of the brain. This may lead to seizures, coma, or even death.
According to WHO, the mortality rate of Nipah virus is extremely high, between 40 to 75 percent.
Unfortunately, despite the detection of the virus in the late 90s, as well as its subsequent outbreaks, there remains no vaccine or treatment for Nipah virus. Health professionals provide care that only addresses the symptoms and complication prevention.
Cause for international concern
The international community has taken measures at borders to prevent the overseas spread of the virus. In Thailand, travellers coming from West Bengal are being screened, while Nepal has been screening arrivals in both Kathmandu airport and other land boundaries with India. Meanwhile, Taiwan is considering classifying Nipah as a Category 5 disease. Under the country’s Communicable Disease Control Act, Category 5 disease is an emerging, rare, or high-impact infectious disease that requires immediate reporting and special control measures to prevent the spread and protect public health.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health has updated its 2014 guidelines on the prevention, surveillance, management, and response regarding the disease.
In an interview Health Spokesperson Albert Domingo said that they are monitoring high-risk areas, as well as screening passengers from all points of entry in the country, emphasizing the importance of self reporting and correctly filling out the e-travel forms on the eGovPH app.
The guideline also underscores the need to reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission by using gloves and other protective clothing when handling animals.
What has happened during previous outbreaks?
The first Nipah outbreak killed more than 100 people in Malaysia and prompted the culling of one million pigs in an effort to contain the virus.
It also spread to Singapore, with 11 cases and one death among slaughterhouse workers who came into contact with pigs imported from Malaysia.
Since then, the disease has mainly been recorded in Bangladesh and India, with both countries reporting their first outbreaks in 2001.
Bangladesh has borne the brunt in recent years, with more than 100 people dying of Nipah since 2001.
Two early outbreaks in India killed more than 50 people before they were brought under control.
The southern state of Kerala has recorded two deaths from Nipah and four other confirmed cases since last month.
Authorities there have closed some schools and instituted mass testing.
This marks Kerala’s fourth recorded spate of Nipah cases in five years. The virus killed 17 people during the first instance in 2018.
The state has managed to stamp out previous outbreaks within a matter of weeks through widespread testing and strict isolation of those in contact with patients.