Nipah virus: its symptoms, transmission methods, and global severity

The Nipah virus has once again made headlines in global health news, raising concerns due to its high mortality rate and aggressive nature. Amid international reports of new cases in India, infectious disease and public health experts confirmed to Al-Youm newspaper that Saudi Arabia possesses a high level of healthcare preparedness and precise epidemiological surveillance systems that prevent the spread of this virus, emphasizing that the risk of local transmission remains extremely low.

What is the Nipah virus? The full story and history of its emergence

To understand the nature of this virus, we must return to its historical roots. Nipah virus was first identified in 1999 following a major outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore. It was named after the Malaysian village of Sungai Nipah, where it was first isolated. At that time, the virus infected approximately 300 people and caused over 100 deaths, leading to the culling of millions of pigs to contain the epidemic. Since then, Malaysia and Singapore have not recorded any new outbreaks. However, the virus has subsequently appeared periodically in Bangladesh and India, often linked to the consumption of raw palm sap contaminated with fruit bat droppings.

Transmission methods and symptoms: Why is it considered dangerous?

Infectious disease consultant Dr. Hawraa Al-Bayat explained that Nipah is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals (especially fruit bats and pigs) to humans, or through contaminated food. It can also be transmitted between humans through close contact.

For his part, emergency medicine consultant Dr. Basem Al-Bahrani explained that the danger of the virus lies in its mortality rate, which ranges from 40% to 75%, and can reach 80% in some outbreaks, according to Dr. Ali Al-Shehri. Symptoms usually begin like the flu (fever, headache, muscle aches), but can rapidly progress to severe respiratory problems and encephalitis, leading to seizures and coma within 24 to 48 hours.

No specific treatment yet

Infectious disease consultant Dr. Alian Al-Alian confirmed that there is currently no vaccine or specific medication to treat Nipah virus infection, and treatment relies primarily on supportive care and symptom management. This makes prevention and early diagnosis the cornerstones of combating this disease.

The Kingdom is safe: high level of preparedness and strict measures

In an effort to reassure the public, Dr. Nabila Al Abdullah, Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology, affirmed that the Kingdom is safe, God willing, noting that the risk of the virus spreading to the Kingdom is low. However, given the Kingdom's status as a global destination and the high volume of travel, particularly during Umrah and Ramadan seasons, health authorities are maintaining a state of constant readiness.

These measures include:

• Early detection: Activating health screening protocols at border crossings.
• Infection control: Implementing strict standards within health facilities to immediately isolate any suspected case.
• Awareness: Educating medical personnel and the community about methods of prevention and avoiding infected areas.

The experts concluded by emphasizing that community awareness, avoiding travel to areas experiencing active outbreaks, and refraining from consuming unreliable or contaminated food are the first line of defense against this virus and other infectious diseases.