NIH issues ‘low risk’ advisory on Nipah virus

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued an advisory in view of the reported cases of the Nipah virus (NiV) in south India.

So far, no case of Nipah virus has been reported in Pakistan, said the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health. He said that a low-risk advisory has been issued for the general public. The spokesperson said that this virus is transmitted to humans through bats and pigs.

Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan said in the past, cases of Nipah virus have been reported in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore and India,

He said that the Ministry of Health is continuously monitoring the situation. He added that instructions have been issued to the National Institute of Health and Border Health Services.

He said that the Nipah virus spreads in humans and animals alike. He said that effective steps are being taken to strengthen the border health services system.

Dr. Nadeem Jan said that the ministry is ensuring the implementation of the recommendations of the International Health Regulations to protect the public from diseases and epidemics

According to World Health Organization, Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus (transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people.

Nipah virus infection in humans causes a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection (subclinical) to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis.

The case fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75%. This rate can vary by outbreak depending on local capabilities for epidemiological surveillance and clinical management.

Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human. Fruit bats are the natural host of Nipah virus.

There is no treatment or vaccine available for either people or animals. The primary treatment for humans is supportive care.

The 2018 annual review of the WHO R&D Blueprint list of priority diseases indicates that there is an urgent need for accelerated research and development for the Nipah virus.