Nipah Virus LIVE Updates: Another Lockdown Ahead? Airports On High Alert As COVID-Style Screening Begins; US CDC Flags ‘Real Risk’
Nipah virus has a fatality rate of 75% - which makes it deadlier than COVID-19, which triggered a worldwide lockdown in 2020-21. Scroll down to know why everyone is talking about another lockdown.
Nipah Virus LIVE Updates: After battling the deadly COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus for over 7 years, the world is witnessing a sudden re-emergence of another, comparatively deadlier virus - the Nipah virus. Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, which has a fatality rate of 40-75%. According to the reports, a total of 5 cases of the NiV have been detected in West Bengal. Keeping in mind what we faced in 2020 due to COVID, countries across the world have started taking measures to ensure that the virus does not create cross-border transmission. After the infections were confirmed, several countries in Southeast Asia, including Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, and the Philippines, announced measures like thermal scanners, travel history checks, and health declarations. Although Nipah has never been detected in the US, infectious disease specialists say the situation warrants attention. Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, a Texas-based expert who formerly worked with the World Health Organization, told the media that the possibility of a Nipah outbreak is 'absolutely' something the CDC should be 'closely monitoring'. Stay tuned for all the latest news updates on the Nipah virus outbreak in India, and around the world.
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LIVE UPDATES
Nipah Virus Outbreak: Do We Have Vaccines For This Rare Viral Infection?
Currently, there is no approved vaccine to treat it, but early detection can reduce fatality rate. Early symptoms of Nipah infection are fever, body ache and headache. “The incubation period ranges from 3 to 14 days. In some rare cases incubation of up to 45 days,” WHO said.
Nipah Virus: WHO warns of rare but serious infection, rules out transmission to close contacts
Taking to X, World Health Organisation (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned against the “serious disease.”
He wrote: "Nipah is a rare but serious disease. The two case of Nipah virus infection reported by India in West Bengal are the third in this state since the virus was first identified in 1998. No cases have been reported in any other country linked to this outbreak. Indian authorities are following over 190 contacts, and none have developed the disease so far. Authorities have increased disease surveillance and testing, implemented prevention and control measures in health care settings, and are keeping the public informed about how to protect themselves."
What Is Nipah Virus: Everything You Need To Know
Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly fatal zoonotic virus (40%–75% fatality rate) transmitted from fruit bats or infected pigs to humans, causing severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. Identified in 1998, it causes annual outbreaks in parts of Asia. There are no specific vaccines or treatments; management focuses on intensive supportive care.
