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UK health officials warn travelers outbreak A “serious infectious disease” occurs India.
On January 13, two new confirmed cases were reported nipah virus Reported among healthcare workers in Kolkata.
Zoonotic viruses – mainly transmitted through fruits bat – Humans can be infected through direct contact with bats or by eating contaminated food.
according to World Health Organization (WHO), nipah virus It may be asymptomatic and has a case fatality rate of 40% to 75%.
this outbreak in india has sparked travel concerns across Asia, including in Thailand and Pakistan introduce new Novel coronavirus screening at airports Receives flights from the region.
Here’s everything vacationers need to know to avoid contracting the Nipah virus while traveling.
Read more: WHO provides encouraging latest information on deadly Nipah virus outbreak in India
What is Nipah virus? How does it spread?
Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus that is typically transmitted to humans from animals such as fruit bats or through contaminated food.
It was first discovered in 1999 during an outbreak of swine fever among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore.
What is the Ministry of External Affairs’ travel advice for India?
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has not updated specific travel advice for India since the Nipah virus outbreak.
Generally speaking, travelers are warned not to travel within 10 kilometers (six miles) of the India-Pakistan border or the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Where is Nipah virus most common?
Outbreaks of Nipah virus in humans tend to occur in rural areas of South and Southeast Asia.
This is the ninth Nipah virus outbreak in India since the first Nipah virus case was reported in 2001.
In addition to the current outbreak in West Bengal, there has been an outbreak in the Indian state of Kerala every year since 2019, according to the UK Health and Safety Authority (UKHSA).
Bangladesh has reported outbreaks almost every year since 2001.
Elsewhere, Nipah cases have been previously reported in Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.
There has never been a recorded case of Nipah virus in the UK.
What are the symptoms?
Some people infected with Nipah virus may be asymptomatic, and the incubation period is 4 to 21 days.
People infected with the virus may experience symptoms such as fever and headache or confusion, difficulty breathing, or coughing.
Other common symptoms include chills, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea, the World Health Organization said.
In severe cases, patients may develop brain inflammation known as encephalitis and meningitis.
Can I get the Nipah virus vaccine?
There are currently no vaccines or drugs available to prevent or treat Nipah virus disease.
How can travelers protect themselves from Nipah virus?
On January 27, India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed that all 196 contacts of two confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease in West Bengal had tested negative.
However, screening measures are already in place at some international airports for travelers traveling to or from India. Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan have all stepped up health surveillance and travel screening this week.
The UK Health Safety Authority said the risk of Nipah virus infection from travelers to endemic countries is “very low” if precautions, including good hand hygiene, are followed.
UKHSA said: “While the risk to most people remains low, it is important to know about the virus if you plan to travel to one of the areas where it is spreading.”
Public health advice focuses on reducing contact with the virus, whether from bats, animals or infected people.
Wash or peel fruit thoroughly to reduce the risk of contracting the virus, and only wear protective clothing when handling infected animals, including on pig farms where fruit bats are nearby.
Travelers are also advised not to consume raw or partially fermented date palm juice – and if you do consume date palm juice, make sure it is boiled first.