Nepal on alert after Nipah cases found in India’s West Bengal state
Summary
Nepal authorities are on alert following Nipah virus cases detected in India's West Bengal, given the high fatality rate and risk of spillover due to cross-border movement and presence of host species in Nepal.
Key Points
- Nipah virus outbreak reported in West Bengal, India, with suspected cases among healthcare workers in critical condition.
- Nepal at risk due to proximity and presence of fruit bats, the virus's primary hosts, along the shared border.
- Officials plan to alert relevant agencies and activate health desks at Nepal's land crossings and airports to prevent spread.
- There is no current treatment for Nipah virus; symptoms mimic Covid-19 but progress rapidly with a fatality rate of up to 75 percent.
