Nipah virus

Nipah is a serious viral disease which is transmitted from animals to humans.  It can also be transmitted from humans to humans (in a clinical or close family setting) and from food.

Nipah is thought to infect a wide range of animals.  It has a range of clinical symptoms including muscle aches and pains, respiratory tract infections and the more severe encephalitis.  The case fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 and 75%.

Pteropus fruit bats are the natural host of the virus.  They do not show disease.  Fruit is infected through their bodily fluids (secretions or urine).

The disease was first recognized in Malaysia in 1999 in a disease outbreak amongst pigs.  Other animals were infected during this outbreak. Since then Nipah been reported most years in Bangladesh.  It has also been reported in Singapore, Philippines and India.   Six laboratory confirmed cases were reported between September 12 to 15, 2023 in Kerala, and two died.

The risk to travellers is very low.  Avoidance of sick animals (bats, horses and pigs) is very important in areas of risk. Travellers are also advised against consuming fallen fruit and raw date palm sap or juice.

There is no vaccine available.