BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen Nipah virus surveillance, laboratory readiness and rapid response systems through the Public Health Emergency and Surveillance Unit (PHESU).
Island Sun reached out to MHMS on Thursday following the Nipah virus issue, but did not get a response till a press statement was issued later that evening on the issue.
According to the MHMS press statement, PHESU is monitoring global developments and ensuring frontline health workers and points of entry staff are informed and vigilant.
Though no case has been detected in the country, it is important to be aware, prepared and prevent the virus since it has increased global attention.
Since there are no direct flights from Kolkata to Honiara, it reduces the likelihood of imported cases into the country, therefore risk remains low.
MHMS urges communities to remain informed about Nipah virus, calling on community leaders, churches, schools, and local organisations to play a key role in sharing accurate information and preventing misinformation. This is to ensure information is obtained from trusted sources.
Health facilities throughout the country are reminded to maintain infection prevention and control practices and to promptly report any unusual clusters of illness.
In India the national and state health teams and the public health response said there is no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission.
There are two confirmed cases in West Bengal by two health workers. Though about 200 contacts were traced out of the two cases, they tested negative for Nipah virus and are without symptoms.
This is India’s 7th documented Nipah outbreak. It has the capacity to contain such outbreaks, as demonstrated in previous outbreaks. WHO do not recommend any travel and/or trade restrictions toward India based on the currently available information.
Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans, it can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from human contact. The hosts of this virus are fruits bats, with evidence that it can also infect pigs, dogs, cats and others.
In 1998 an outbreak of Nipah virus was first identified in Malaysia during an outbreak among pig farmers. The following year it was reported in Singapore, this is due to the importation of sick pigs from Malaysia.
One can be infected and show symptoms between 4 – 21 days, but according to research by the UK Research Security Agency time frame can also be longer. Infected people initially develop symptoms that include fever, headaches, myalgia, vomiting, and sore throat.
There are no drugs or vaccines for Nipah virus infection, therefore it is identified as a priority disease for the WHO Research and Development Blueprint. Intensive supportive care is recommended to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications.
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