A new outbreak of the Nipah virus in India has placed health authorities on alert. According to the latest epidemiological bulletin from the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (Regional Office for Southeast Asia), two suspected cases of infection were reported in the state of West Bengal on January 12. The document states that the patients — both healthcare professionals — are under close monitoring by a specialized medical team. No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak; however, the Nipah virus has a high case fatality rate, estimated between 40% and 75%, according to the World Health Organization.
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Work Visit
Preliminary investigations indicate that both professionals may have been exposed to the virus during a work-related visit to the district of Purba Bardhaman. The last confirmed case of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal dates back to 2007. According to the WHO, the state government has implemented preventive measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission. Surveillance has been intensified in the districts of Purba Bardhaman, North 24 Parganas, and Nadia, including the identification and monitoring of high-risk contacts. The Nipah virus has already been classified by the WHO as a priority pathogen due to its epidemic potential.
Zero Risk
According to Evaldo Stanislau de Araújo, an infectious disease specialist at Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo, the risk of the Nipah virus reaching Brazil is very low, “almost zero.” He explains that although the virus has a history of human-to-human transmission, its reproduction number is low, estimated at around 0.3. “The highest-risk groups are healthcare professionals, who may have prolonged and close contact with infected patients,” he says. Araújo adds that with standard protective measures — such as masks, personal protective equipment, and proper hand hygiene — it is unlikely that a localized outbreak would spread to distant regions.
Origin of the Nipah Virus
Nipah is a zoonotic virus, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans, and it can also spread through contaminated food or direct person-to-person contact. The virus was first identified in the late 1990s during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia, where pigs acted as intermediate hosts.
Signs and Symptoms
Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and vomiting. These early signs may progress to dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and other neurological symptoms indicative of acute encephalitis. Respiratory complications, such as pneumonia and breathing difficulties, may also occur. In severe cases, patients can develop encephalitis and seizures. The incubation period — the time between infection and the onset of symptoms — typically ranges from four to 14 days, and the fatality rate varies depending on the outbreak context.
Treatment
There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah virus infection. Intensive supportive care is recommended to manage severe respiratory distress and neurological complications. According to WHO guidelines, the main preventive strategy involves monitoring and quarantining infected animals. Among humans, limiting contact with infected individuals is essential, and anyone who has contact with patients should practice strict hand hygiene after visits or care activities.
Sources: A Folha de SP.
