The spread of the Nipah virus in India’s eastern state of West Bengal has increased global concern. In response, China and several Southeast Asian countries have further tightened health screening at airports.
What is the Nipah virus?
Like the Hendra virus, the Nipah virus belongs to a group of viruses known as henipaviruses. It is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Outbreaks of the Nipah virus have been reported from time to time in Asia. The first major outbreak of the virus was reported in Malaysia in 1998.
The virus is mainly transmitted through three routes:
First route:
Through bats, particularly due to saliva, urine or feces of infected bats. During the initial outbreak in Malaysia, the virus was also transmitted to humans through infected animals, especially pigs.
Second route:
Through contaminated food, particularly the consumption of date palm sap or juice. Infection can occur if the sap becomes contaminated with secretions from infected bats.
Third route:
Human to human transmission can occur through close physical contact, such as while caring for an infected person. There have been reports of the virus spreading through bodily fluids of infected individuals in homes or hospitals, although this mode of transmission is considered less common compared to other sources.
