How to get rid of Nipah virus?

Kathmandu, February 20. Although the Nipah virus has not spread in Nepal, it is a matter of concern. The Nipah virus, which was confirmed in Malaysia in 1999, has already claimed 17 lives in neighboring India, so it cannot be underestimated.

In an awareness discussion program on Nipah virus (NiV) in collaboration with DPNET Nepal and Nepal Red Cross Society, Dr. Hemant Chandra Ojha, an expert from the Ministry of Health and Population, said that this disease, which is transmitted from bats, pigs and humans to humans, cannot be ignored when there is no treatment method.

The program discussed the increasing risk for this region, citing the recent Nipah virus cases seen in West Bengal, India. The participants were informed about the transmission route of Nipah virus, potential risks, preparedness and response measures. According to Dr. Ojha, Nipah virus was first confirmed in Malaysia in 1999, where the infection spread from fruit bats to pigs and then to humans. Then, from Malaysia to Singapore, Nipah spread to Kerala, India in 2018, and 17 people died of Nipah infection. On December 30, a nurse from West Bengal died, and a few days later, a man who worked with her also died.

Dr. Ojha informed that the Nipah virus is transmitted through the urine and saliva of fruit bats, and presented the fact that about 75 percent of new infectious diseases that are currently emerging are transmitted from animals to humans. According to Dr. Ojha, after Nipah infection, the health condition deteriorates rapidly and the mortality rate is 40 to 75 percent. Its main symptoms are fever, headache, brain swelling (encephalitis), difficulty breathing and neurological problems, which can lead to coma within 24 to 48 hours.

It was informed in the program that the duration of Nipah virus is 4 to 20 days and since there is no specific treatment available for it yet, treatment is only supportive. Measures to prevent infection were emphasized, such as staying away from bats and pigs, and not consuming raw or unprocessed fruit juice.

The discussion also discussed risk factors such as population density, cross-border movement, health system capacity, and socio-cultural behaviors. It was concluded that the involvement of anthropologists is necessary for infection control. In addition, strategies such as using covers (bamboo straw or other coverings) while collecting sap from date palm trees, raising awareness at the community level, and strengthening surveillance systems through the World Health Organization and health agencies were presented.

At the end of the program, it was concluded that preparedness, institutional coordination, and active participation of the community are indispensable to reduce the potential risk of Nipah virus.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population has urged all citizens to be vigilant about the potential risk of Nipah virus infection. The Ministry has requested to adopt precautionary measures after cases of Nipah virus have been reported in some countries, including neighboring India.

The press release issued by the ministry stated that Nipah virus is an infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans and that the infection can spread through direct contact with infected fruit-eating bats, pigs or infected people.

The statement urged people not to eat raw or half-cooked fruits and food that have been bitten or dropped by bats, pig farmers to take special precautions, wash their hands regularly with soap and water, and contact health institutions immediately if they experience fever or respiratory problems.

The Ministry of Health and Population has directed health institutions at the federal, provincial and local levels to strengthen surveillance systems, keep in mind the potential risk of Nipah virus, and be prepared to identify and treat suspected patients. It has also been asked to immediately arrange for testing, isolation and contact tracing if necessary.

The ministry has clarified that although Nipah virus infection has not been confirmed in Nepal at present, preparedness and public awareness are given high priority without ignoring the risk.