Some countries are on high alert after two cases of a deadly, incurable virus were reported in India this week.
India’s Health Ministry said Monday, Jan. 26, that two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata, West Bengal, had been diagnosed with Nipah virus and one was in «critical» condition.
The virus has a high mortality rate and high likelihood of causing serious illness. Airports in some Asian countries tightened protocols following the announcement, though Indian health officials said the outbreak has been contained.
Here’s what to know about the Nipah virus.
What is the Nipah virus?
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The virus, carried by fruit bats, was first discovered in 1999 following an outbreak in pigs and people in Malaysia and Singapore, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The fruit bats that carry the virus can be found throughout Asia, the South Pacific and Australia, although outbreaks have only been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Malaysia and Singapore have not reported outbreaks since 1999, while India and Bangladesh have had periodic outbreaks since 2001, including the cases detected in India this year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The virus is most commonly spread from animal to animal and from animal to human via direct contact, but it can also be spread through contaminated food or even from person to person.
About 40%-70% of people who contract the Nipah virus die, according to the CDC and WHO.
Nipah virus is spread by fruit bats and has no treatment, according to the CDC and WHO.
Nipah virus is spread by fruit bats and has no treatment, according to the CDC and WHO.
What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?
The incubation period, or time between contracting the virus and showing symptoms, is usually 3-14 days, though it can be up to 45 days, according to the CDC and WHO.
Some people are asymptomatic, but most develop the following symptoms:
Fever
Headache
Cough
Sore throat
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Chills
Fatigue
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Confusion
Vomiting
Diarrhea
The virus is closely associated with encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, which can cause more severe illness. People who present with neurological symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, fatigue or seizures are more likely to experience serious illness, coma or death.
Most people who survive make a full recovery, according to the WHO, though approximately 1 in 5 who recover from the disease suffer from long-term neurological conditions.
There is currently no treatment or vaccine available for the Nipah virus. Treatment includes supportive care and symptom management, and early intensive care can improve survival.
Is there Nipah virus in the US?
As of Jan. 30, there are no cases of Nipah virus in the United States.