WHO says Nipah outbreak in India poses low risk

The World Health Organization has said that the recent Nipah virus cases reported in India pose a low risk of wider spread and do not warrant any travel or trade restrictions. The assessment comes after India confirmed two cases of the virus infection in West Bengal.

In its latest update, the WHO stated that there is no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission and that the overall national, regional and global risk remains low. The agency noted that both cases were detected in North 24 Parganas district and were confined to the same area.

According to the WHO, there was no travel history linked to the patients during the period when they were symptomatic. Based on available information, the likelihood of the virus spreading to other Indian states or internationally is considered low.

Despite heightened screening measures introduced by several Asian countries for incoming travellers, the global health body has advised against imposing restrictions on travel or trade at this stage.

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that primarily spreads from animals to humans, with fruit bats identified as the natural hosts. Transmission can occur through food contaminated by bats or through close contact with infected animals or people.

The infection can cause severe illness, including fever and inflammation of the brain. The fatality rate is estimated to range between 40% and 75%, depending on outbreak conditions and healthcare response.

While human-to-human transmission is possible, the virus does not spread easily and typically requires close and prolonged contact.

Early symptoms of Nipah infection include fever, headache and muscle pain, which can resemble common viral illnesses. As the disease progresses, patients may develop neurological symptoms linked to acute encephalitis.

Some individuals also experience severe respiratory distress. In critical cases, seizures may occur, leading to coma within a few days. Although many survivors recover fully, some may suffer long-term neurological complications. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Nipah virus infection. Medical care focuses on supportive treatment and managing complications.

However, several vaccine and treatment candidates are under development. Among them is a potential vaccine being researched by scientists at Oxford University, building on technology used during the COVID-19 pandemic.