UK health chiefs have issued an urgent warning over the Nipah virus as it spreads in India, sparking pandemic fears. They warn that up to 75% of people infected with the virus could die.
Carried by bats the rare infectious virus can infect both humans and pigs and can even cause irreversible brain damage. As pandemic fears soar The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued new guidance that it is important to understand the virus. A spokesperson said: « While the risk to most people remains very low, understanding the virus is important if you are planning to travel to areas where it circulate. »
Between 40 to 75 per cent of people infected with the deady virus will die with others being left with lasting neurological difficulties including persistent seizures and personality changes.
Health authorities also warn that, in rare cases, the virus can remain dormant and reactivate months or even years after the initial infection.
Most infections are linked to the consumption of fruit or fruit juices—particularly fermented date palm juice—contaminated with the saliva, urine or feces of infected fruit bats.
The time between becoming infected and symptoms appearing is typically 4 to 21 days, though longer periods have been observed previously.
Although no cases have been identified in the UK so far, there is currently no vaccine or effective treatment available. Nipah virus was labelled a « high priority pathogen » in March last year « that urgently needs investment in developing tests, treatments and vaccines ».
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