Geneva, Jan 30 (EFE).- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that it does not recommend border closures or travel restrictions in response to the two confirmed cases of Nipah virus, a highly lethal pathogen with no specific treatment, reported in India.
“The most effective way to contain the virus during an outbreak is at the source of infection, through a local response that includes caring for patients, closely monitoring contacts, and informing the public about how to avoid infection,” said Anaïs Legand of the WHO’s High-Risk Pathogens Department during a press conference.
Legand noted that measures such as temperature screening for travelers arriving from affected areas, introduced by some countries neighboring India, are “a choice that countries can make,” but stressed that such steps do not amount to travel restrictions.
She said the WHO was notified on January 26 of the two cases, one of which remains in serious condition.
No additional infections have been detected so far, although around 190 contacts are currently under observation.
The Nipah virus, which has a fatality rate of between 40 and 75 percent and for which no vaccine exists, was first identified in 1998.
Since then, outbreaks have been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore.
The virus is typically transmitted from animals, particularly fruit bats, or through the consumption of food contaminated by them.
Limited cases of human-to-human transmission have also been documented.
“This has occurred only to a limited extent, and under conditions involving prolonged close contact with an infected patient without adequate protective equipment,” Legand said.
She added that the WHO advises people in affected areas who develop symptoms to seek medical attention as soon as possible, while acknowledging that early signs of the disease may be difficult to recognize.
“The first symptom in most patients is fever, sometimes accompanied by headache and confusion,” she said.
Other possible symptoms include respiratory problems, cough, dizziness, fatigue, and vomiting.
The WHO has assessed the risk of the Nipah virus spreading further within India as “low,” noting the country’s experience in managing previous outbreaks. EFE abc-sk
