Nipah Virus: Essential Info for Travelers
The World Health Organisation has informed travelers that there is a “low risk” of a serious infectious disease spreading from India. On 13 January, two confirmed cases of the Nipah virus were reported in healthcare workers in Kolkata. This zoonotic virus, primarily transmitted by fruit bats, can infect humans through direct contact with bats or by consuming contaminated food.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Nipah virus can sometimes be asymptomatic, with a case fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 percent. The outbreak in India has raised concerns about travel across Asia, leading countries such as Thailand and Pakistan to implement new screening measures at airports for flights coming from the region.
Despite Guernsey’s government stating it will continue to monitor cases of the Nipah virus, the WHO has advised against countries imposing further travel restrictions. Here’s everything holidaymakers need to know to stay safe from the Nipah virus while traveling.
What is the Nipah Virus and How Is It Spread?
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, typically transmitted from animals like fruit bats to humans or through contaminated food. It was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore.
What Is the Foreign Office Travel Advice for India?
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has not updated specific travel advice for India since the Nipah virus outbreak. Generally, travelers are warned not to go within 10 km (six miles) of the India-Pakistan border or to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Where Is the Nipah Virus Most Common?
Outbreaks of the Nipah virus in humans tend to occur in rural parts of South and Southeast Asia. This is the ninth Nipah virus outbreak in India since the first cases were reported in 2001. In addition to the current outbreak in West Bengal, India has experienced yearly outbreaks in Kerala since 2019, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Since 2001, outbreaks have also been reported almost annually in Bangladesh. Other countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore have previously reported Nipah cases. No cases of the Nipah virus have ever been recorded in the UK.
What Are the Symptoms?
The Nipah virus infection can be asymptomatic in some people, with an incubation period of four to 21 days. People infected by the virus may develop a fever and symptoms such as headache or confusion, difficulty breathing, or a cough. Other frequent symptoms include chills, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to the WHO. In severe cases, inflammation of the brain, known as encephalitis and meningitis, can develop in patients.
Can I Get a Nipah Virus Vaccine?
There is currently no vaccine or medication available to prevent or treat Nipah virus disease.
How Can Travellers Protect Themselves Against the Nipah Virus?
On 27 January, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India confirmed that all 196 contacts of the two confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease in West Bengal have tested negative. However, for travelers heading to or departing from India, screening measures have been introduced at some international airports. Thailand, Nepal, and Taiwan have all intensified health surveillance and travel screening in recent weeks.
According to the UKHSA, the risk of Nipah virus disease for tourists visiting endemic countries is “very low” if precautions, including good hand hygiene, are followed. The UKHSA stated: “While the risk to most people remains very low, understanding this virus is important if you are planning to travel to one of the areas where it circulates.”
Public health advice focuses on reducing contact with the virus, whether from bats, animals, or infected people. Thoroughly washing or peeling fruits can reduce the risk of contracting the virus. Contact with infected animals, including on pig farms with fruit bats nearby, should only be done in protective clothing. Travelers are also advised not to consume raw or partially fermented date palm sap – if consuming date palm juice, ensure it has been boiled first.
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