The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a reassuring assessment regarding the recent Nipah virus cases detected in India, stating that the risk of further spread is low. In a communication on Friday, the global health body clarified that it does not recommend imposing any travel or trade restrictions in response to the two reported infections in the country.
WHO's Stance on Current Situation
In an email to Reuters, WHO emphasized that India possesses the necessary capacity to contain such outbreaks effectively. The organization noted, "The WHO considers the risk of further spread of infection from these two cases is low." This statement comes as several Asian nations, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, have heightened airport screening measures this week as a precautionary step.
Transmission and Fatality Concerns
Nipah virus, which is carried by fruit bats and can infect animals like pigs, poses significant health risks due to its high fatality rate ranging from 40% to 75%. The virus can cause severe symptoms such as fever and brain inflammation, and currently, there is no approved cure or vaccine, though several are under development and testing.
Transmission to humans typically occurs through contact with infected bats or contaminated fruit. Importantly, WHO highlighted that there is no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission at this time. Person-to-person spread is not easy and usually requires prolonged close contact with infected individuals, as reported by Reuters.
Historical Context and Regional Patterns
The two health workers infected in West Bengal in late December are currently receiving hospital treatment. This outbreak marks the seventh documented Nipah virus occurrence in India and the third specifically in West Bengal. Previous outbreaks in the state in 2001 and 2007 occurred in districts bordering Bangladesh, where Nipah outbreaks are reported almost annually.
Kerala in southern India continues to be considered one of the world's highest-risk areas for Nipah virus, with dozens of deaths linked to the pathogen since its first appearance there in 2018. Despite these occasional infections, virologists maintain that the risk to the general population remains low, and small outbreaks are not unusual in the region.
Ongoing Monitoring and Concerns
WHO has coordinated with Indian health authorities and continues to monitor the situation closely. While the source of infection is not yet fully understood, the organization did not rule out further exposure to the virus, which circulates naturally in bat populations in parts of India and neighboring Bangladesh.
Nipah virus is designated as a priority pathogen by global health authorities due to several concerning factors: the absence of approved vaccines or treatments, its high fatality rate, and concerns about potential mutations that could make it more easily transmissible among humans.
The WHO's current assessment provides measured reassurance while acknowledging the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in dealing with this potentially deadly pathogen.
