Nipah Virus Outbreak in West Bengal: Risks, Prevention, and Global Vigilance
Lifestyle
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News18•27-01-2026, 15:19
Nipah Virus Outbreak in West Bengal: Risks, Prevention, and Global Vigilance
- •India reports fresh Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, prompting heightened vigilance from health authorities and neighboring countries.
- •Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic pathogen primarily carried by fruit bats, transmissible to humans through infected animals, contaminated food, or close contact with infected individuals.
- •Symptoms range from flu-like signs (fever, headache, cough) to severe neurological complications like encephalitis, seizures, and coma, with a 4-14 day incubation period.
- •High-risk groups include healthcare workers, family caregivers, animal handlers, and residents in outbreak areas; close and prolonged contact is the main transmission driver.
- •Prevention is crucial as there's no specific treatment or vaccine: avoid contact with carriers, contaminated food, and practice strict hygiene and infection control.
Why It Matters: Nipah virus cases in West Bengal necessitate understanding risks, prevention, and global vigilance due to its zoonotic nature.
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