India Moves To Contain Outbreak of Deadly Nipah Virus, 100+ in Quarantine
The Indian government is moving to contain an outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus, which is transmitted from animals to humans, in the eastern state of West Bengal
TL;DR
- Five cases of Nipah virus confirmed in West Bengal, India.
- Over 100 people have been quarantined.
- One patient is in critical condition.
- Nipah virus is transmitted from animals (primarily fruit bats) to humans and can spread human-to-human through bodily fluids.
- The virus has no vaccine or cure and a high fatality rate (40%-75%).
- Symptoms include flu-like illness, respiratory problems, and severe neurological issues like encephalitis.
- Survivors may experience long-term neurological damage.
- The virus was first identified in 1999 in Malaysia and Singapore and has had repeated outbreaks in South Asia.
- Health authorities warn of the potential for widespread or global transmission.