Health officials are closely monitoring the deadly Nipah virus outbreak after the World Health Organization confirmed two new cases in an eastern Indian state this week.
The virus, although rare, is considered one of the most dangerous pathogens due to its high mortality rate and lack of an approved treatment or vaccine.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infections most often occur through direct contact with infected fruit bats or pigs, or by consuming fruit products contaminated with bat saliva or urine.
In some cases, the virus can also spread from person to person through close contact.
Symptoms usually appear within four to fourteen days. The first signs are flu-like and include fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting and sore throat.
In many cases, the disease progresses rapidly, leading to encephalitis, seizures, coma, and sometimes death within days.
Respiratory symptoms such as coughing and breathing difficulties have also been reported.
The virus is classified as biosafety level four, putting it in the same category as Ebola.
In previous outbreaks, mortality rates have ranged from 40 to 75 percent.
Survivors may experience long-term neurological complications, including fatigue and changes in behavior or cognitive function.
There is currently no specific treatment for Nipah virus and doctors rely on supportive care, including respiratory support for severe cases.
Prevention remains the main line of defense, with health authorities focusing on limiting animal-to-human transmission and strict infection control measures.
Nipah outbreaks occur almost every year in parts of South and Southeast Asia, especially in India and Bangladesh.
Fewer than 800 cases have been reported worldwide, underscoring the rarity of the virus but also its serious risk to public health.
