What is Nipah virus? Deadly disease has countries in Asia on high alert

Countries across Asia are on high alert after cases of the deadly Nipah virus were detected in India. 

Though Indian officials said they have contained the outbreak, screenings at airports in Asia increased at major airports, with health declarations, temperature checks and visual monitoring of passengers. 

Here’s a look at the symptoms of Nipah virus and how to prevent it from spreading: 

What is Nipah virus? 

The Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus that spreads through fruit bats, pigs and human-to-human contact. 

The backstory:

The first case of Nipah was recorded in Malaysia and Singapore in 1999 following an outbreak in pigs and people. 

Three hundred people got sick and more than 100 of those people died. 

During this first-recorded outbreak, it was found that bats, specifically fruit bats, spread the disease to pigs and people that worked closely with those animals ended up contracting the deadly virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Does the US have Nipah virus cases? 

As of this report, there are no cases of Nipah virus in the United States, nor has there been  reports of the virus in the country in the past. 

The type of bat that spreads this virus is found mainly in Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and Australia. 

Is there a cure for Nipah virus? 

No.

There is no cure for the virus, nor are there any licensed treatment options.

However, there is at least one clinical trial for an immunotherapeutic treatment in the works and there have been promising results with the drug remdesivir in nonhuman primates, the CDC said. 

What are the symptoms of Nipah virus? 

Dig deeper:

Symptoms after exposure to Nipah virus typically appear within 4 to 14 days. 

Some infections have been reported months and even years after exposure as the virus can lay dormant for a long time. 

Initial symptoms of the virus include: 

• Fever
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting

Severe symptoms include: 

• Disorientation, drowsiness, or confusion
• Seizure
• Coma

Mortality rates of Nipah virus are between 40%-75%, the World Health Organization said. 

How to prevent the spread

Just like with COVID-19, preventing the spread of a deadly virus is key to lessening its impact on people.

Health care workers and people who may be at higher risk of exposure should: 

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• Avoid contact with flying fox bats or sick pigs
• Avoid areas where bats roost
• Avoid touching anything that could be soiled by bats
• Avoid eating raw date palm sap or fruit that could be soiled by bats
• Avoid contact with the blood or body fluids of someone with Nipah