Nepal issues Nipah testing guidelines amid outbreak in India
Summary
Nepal has issued interim testing guidelines for Nipah virus amid the outbreak in West Bengal, India, focusing on suspected cases and preventive measures to mitigate spread.
Key Points
- Nepal’s Epidemiology and Disease Control Division issued interim testing guidelines for suspected Nipah virus cases amid the outbreak in West Bengal, India.
- Suspected cases include those with rapidly deteriorating health, specific symptoms, and epidemiological links such as contact with infected animals or travel to endemic areas.
- Nipah virus is highly fatal with a 40-70% death rate and can spread from animals to humans and between humans, especially among caregivers.
- Health authorities in Nepal are preparing treatment guidelines and have alerted hospitals and border health desks to monitor and report suspected cases.
