Health officials and airports across Asia have reintroduced COVID-era restrictions in response to a fresh outbreak of a deadly virus. Among these is India’s West Bengal region, which has reported five cases of the Nipah Virus, a disease transmitted by bats and pigs that can also infect humans.
Approximately a hundred individuals are currently in quarantine in West Bengal, following confirmation of the virus in a doctor, a nurse, and another hospital staff member. These cases were detected after the initial two instances involving a male and female nurse from the same district.
Narayan Swaroop Nigam, the principal secretary of the Department of Health and Family, revealed that one of the nurses is now in a coma after experiencing high fevers and respiratory issues between New Year’s Eve and January 2. It is believed that this nurse contracted the infection while treating a patient with severe respiratory problems, who subsequently died before it could be confirmed if they had the Nipah virus.
Currently, there is no known medication or vaccine for the virus. Symptoms range from mild to severe, encompassing vomiting, fever, brain infection, slurred speech, respiratory issues, and even death.
Humans can contract the virus through various means, including contact with the bodily fluids of an infected animal, consumption of contaminated food, or close contact with an infected individual.
The virus has not yet reached Eureop or North America but spreads easily between individuals. According to the World Health Organisation, the fatality rate ranges from 40 to 75 per cent.
Nepal and Thailand are also implementing stricter airport protocols in response to the emerging viral threat.
Thailand will introduce health screening for travellers arriving from West Bengal, checking for fever and other symptoms associated with the Nipah virus. Passengers will also receive “beware” cards providing guidance on what steps to take should they fall ill.
Thailand’s department for public parks and wildlife has mandated enhanced screenings at caves and tourist destinations throughout the nation. Nepal, which shares a direct border with West Bengal, has issued warnings for both ground and air travel.
Taiwanese health authorities are planning to classify Nipah virus as a Category 5 notifiable disease. Under domestic legislation, Category 5 represents the most serious designation for emerging infectious diseases.
Taiwan has issued a yellow travel alert, or level 2 warning, for those visiting Kerala in southwestern India. Kerala confirmed four Nipah cases last autumn.
The nation’s CDC indicated that travel advisories would be revised as additional information about the virus emerges.
The virus was initially discovered in 1999 following an outbreak amongst pig farmers and individuals in close contact with infected livestock in Malaysia and Singapore.
Malaysian authorities responded by culling nearly a million pigs.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
