Dangerous Nipah Virus Poses Risk Worldwide

Over the last 100+ years the world has grown smaller, mobility has accelerated, and whatever happens on the other side of the world can affect our lives within a matter of hours or even faster. This includes what happens with our health. For instance, mosquito borne diseases such as the West Nile virus have infected hundreds of thousands of individuals and spread to various locations around the world. Other outbreaks such as Ebola also wreaked havoc on a global scale.

Another dangerous malady has recently entered the scene in the Far East; the Nipah virus, which also threatens to spread into a wider contagion.

Deadly outbreak of Nipah and its spread

Nipah is a deadly virus that has the potential to transfer to humans through direct contact with infected pigs, bats, or other individuals. In 1999, 300 cases of individuals infected with the Nipah virus were reported; 100 victims died. The step of euthanizing of 1 million pigs was taken at that time to prevent the further spread of the virus. The latest outbreak of this virus has taken the lives of 17 out of 18 people who were confirmed infected and also resulted in the home quarantine of some 1,400 individuals.

Southern India, specifically the state of Kerala, is the location of the new outbreak of the Nipah virus. The name of the virus is taken from Sungai Nipah, a Malaysian village where a number of pig farmers fell ill with the illness. Bangladesh and India have been the focal points of Nipah exposure. The first recognition of the Nipah virus in Bangladesh occurred in 2001. Since that time, outbreaks have occurred in that country as well as in eastern India each year.

Because of the potential deadly pandemic the Nipah virus could produce, the World Health Organization has made Nipah an urgent priority for research, in the same category as other deadly contagions such as SARS and Ebola.

Who is at risk of developing the illness?

Humans may contract the Nipah virus through close contact with infected animals or people. If you have visited any of the areas where outbreaks occurred, you should seek medical attention, and inform your doctor that you were in those areas. As of right now, there are no reported cases in the U.S.

Signs and symptoms of contracting Nipah virus

Nipah virus, per the World Health Organization, usually incubates in a person’s body for up to two weeks. After that, symptoms can take anywhere between 3 and 14 days to present. The most common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Drowsiness
• Nausea/ vomiting
• Disorientation
• Mental confusion
• Acute respiratory syndrome
• Encephalitis
• Coma

The virus has a mortality rate of 40% to 75%, and approximately 20% of survivors will have some type of long-term neurological damage. This can include seizures or changes in personality.

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we want you to be safe. We understand first-hand how infectious diseases can spread easily and quickly, putting people’s lives at risk. If you developed an infectious disease because of a defective product, medical negligence, or for reasons beyond your control, please call us at 803-327-7800 or complete our contact form.