UK health chiefs have sent an urgent message to Brits regarding the Nipah virus.
The Nipah virus (Image: Getty)
UK health chiefs have issued an urgent warning over the Nipah virus as it spreads in India, sparking pandemic fears. They warn that up to 75% of people infected with the virus could die.
In the eastern state of West Bengal, two cases have been confirmed by the federal health ministry. In a bid to curb the outbreak nearly 200 people have been quarantined after they were identified as contacts of the infected patients, according to officials. All were found to be asymptomatic and tested negative for the virus, the ministry said. Carried by bats, the rare infectious virus can infect both humans and pigs and can even cause irreversible brain damage.
Nipah virus particles (Image: Getty)
As pandemic fears soar The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued new guidance that it is important to understand the virus.
A spokesperson said: “While the risk to most people remains very low, understanding the virus is important if you are planning to travel to areas where it circulate.”
Between 40% to 75% of people infected with the deady virus will die with others being left with lasting neurological difficulties including persistent seizures and personality changes. It was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore.
Health authorities also warn that, in rare cases, the virus can remain dormant and reactivate months or even years after the initial infection.
Most infections are linked to the consumption of fruit or fruit juices—particularly fermented date palm juice—contaminated with the saliva, urine or feces of infected fruit bats.
Although no cases have been identified in the UK so far, there is currently no vaccine or effective treatment available. Nipah virus was labelled a “high priority pathogen” in March last year “that urgently needs investment in developing tests, treatments and vaccines”.
Between 40% to 75% of people infected will die (Image: Getty)
Nipah virus symptoms:
Symptoms usually begin with the sudden – onset of non-specific flu-like illness or fever. Pneumonia and other respiratory problems may also develop.
The most severe and characteristic complication of Nipah virus infection is encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.
Neurological symptoms—such as confusion, altered levels of consciousness, seizures, or coma—typically develop several days to weeks after the initial onset of illness.
The time between becoming infected and symptoms appearing is typically 4 to 21 days, though longer periods have been observed previously.
India is attempting to curb the outbreak (Image: Getty)
How to prevent Nipah virus spreading:
The Government website has issued the following advice to prevent Nipah virus from spreading:
- Avoid contact with bats and their environments, and sick animals
- Don’t consume raw or partially fermented date palm sap – if consuming date palm juice, ensure it has been boiled first
- Wash all fruit thoroughly with clean water and peel before eating; avoid consuming fruit found on the ground or fruit that appears to have been partially eaten by animals
- Wear protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals and during slaughter and culling procedures
- Practise good hand hygiene, particularly after caring for or visiting sick people
- Avoid close, unprotected contact with anyone infected with Nipah virus, including contact with their blood or body fluids
