Should Australians be worried about Nipah virus? What it is, health advice and latest outbreak updates

In eerily familiar scenes around the world, extreme actions are being taken to combat a concerning outbreak of Nipah virus, which is described as a “brain swelling” virus that can kill people after noticing symptoms of a “non-specific flu”.

In recent weeks, health authorities across the world have started to sound the alarm over Nipah virus, including warning people to “avoid close contact” with people who may have been exposed, while screens at airports ramp up in a race to stop potential spread.

The virus is deadly, much more so than COVID-19, and with that pandemic still too fresh in people’s memories, the latest outbreak has many wondering if they should be worried about Nipah.

What is Nipah virus?

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans. Other well-known examples of zoonotic diseases include COVID-19, Ebola, Bird Flu, Salmonella, and Lyme disease.

Like COVID-19, Nipah virus originated from bats, specifically fruit bats. It can also spread from animals to humans through pigs.

Nipah has a very high mortality rate, with estimates suggesting 40 per cent - 70 per cent of those infected may die. COVID-19 had an initial mortality rare of 15 per cent, which went down to around 0.15 per cent, after mass exposure and vaccinations.

The incubation period for Nipah virus is between four and 14 days. When symptoms present, people may experience high fevers, nausea, vomiting and respiratory issues, with pneumonia a serious risk.

The most extreme cases of Nipah virus can cause the brain to swell excessively, making sufferers feel sleepy or even have seizures.

Nipah virus is spread from animals to humans by direct contact with a host, or via humans coming into contact with foods or items the animals have secreted on. The urine or droppings from fruit bats are enough to make food contagious.

Live COVID-19, people are tested for Nipah virus through throat and nasal swabs.

Is there a Nipah virus vaccine?

It’s a virus that has been around for years, first detected in 1998, but there is currently no vaccine for Nipah.

Since then, 119 people have died from Nipah virus across multiple outbreaks in Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Singapore and Bangladesh.

The last outbreak of Nipah virus was in 2018, but authorities fear this one could be different.

Where is the current Nipah virus outbreak

The current outbreak of Nipah Virus is in West Bengal, India. So far, two healthcare workers have tested positive. Those 2 cases have 196 contacts according to the health authorities in West Bengal.

“A total of 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases have been identified, traced, monitored, and tested,” a statement said.

“All traced contacts have been found asymptomatic and have tested negative for Nipah Virus Disease.

“The situation is under constant monitoring, and all necessary public health measures are in place.”

In a significant sign of the serious risk Nipah virus presents, countries have started to act.

At airports across Asia, quarantine and screening measures are being intensified, with thermal scanning set up at multiple locations.

In Hong Kong, anyone arriving from India is being screened.

“Hong Kong has the ability to detect infections of unknown causes and emerging infectious diseases at boundary control points and in hospitals,” Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Edwin Tsui said.

There are currently no cases of Nipah virus from the outbreak recorded in Australia.

Screenings at Australian airports is currently not taking place, meaning those exposed to Nipah Virus could make their way into the community while contagious.

Nipah virus health advice for Australians

The Department of Health told The Nightly that Nipah virus is rare, but “can be deadly”.

“People travelling overseas to areas where Nipah virus has been detected should avoid any contact with fruit bats and pigs – the main carriers of the virus – or eating any fruit that appears to have been partially consumed by an animal,” a spokesperson for the Australian Centre for Disease Control said.

“Fruit should be cleaned and peeled before it is eaten.

“People are advised not to drink raw date-palm sap, as this may have been contaminated by fruit bats. Only drink date-palm sap that has been boiled.

“Given the virus can be spread from person to person, people should avoid close contact with anyone suspected of having contracted Nipah – and in particular, their blood or body fluids.

“It is important that in areas where the Nipah virus may be present, people follow good hygiene practices, such as washing hands after touching animals, or visiting people who are sick, or being out in public places.

“Nipah is a rare viral infection, but it can be deadly. Symptoms are often similar to the flu – and can include a fever, headaches, a cough and a sore throat, and fatigue.”