Australian tourists planning trips to India have been advised to implement specific health precautions following the confirmation of two cases of the potentially deadly Nipah virus in the eastern state of West Bengal. India's National Centre for Disease Control announced the detections on Tuesday, noting the cases have emerged since December.
Health Monitoring and Contact Tracing Underway
Indian health authorities have identified and tested 196 individuals who may have had contact with the confirmed cases. All these contacts have returned negative test results and are currently showing no symptoms of the illness. The Nipah virus, known for causing severe disease with a high fatality rate, has never been detected within Australia itself.
Official Guidance from Australian Health Authorities
The Australian Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) has now issued formal advice for travellers heading to affected regions. Given the virus can spread from person to person, people should avoid close contact with anyone suspected of having Nipah, particularly exposure to blood or body fluids, a spokesperson for the ACDC emphasised.
Travellers are strongly urged to practise rigorous hygiene in areas where the virus may be present. This includes washing hands thoroughly after any contact with animals, visiting sick individuals, or spending time in crowded public spaces. Nipah is a rare viral infection, but it can be deadly, the spokesperson added.
Understanding Nipah Virus Symptoms and Risks
The infection typically begins with the sudden onset of flu-like symptoms, which can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
In some instances, the virus can progress to trigger encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis. These severe complications usually develop between three and 21 days after initial symptoms appear and can be fatal without intensive supportive medical care. The incubation period is generally four to 14 days, though it can extend to 45 days in rare cases.
Practical Steps to Reduce Infection Risk
The ACDC spokesperson advised that while there are no licensed human vaccines for Nipah virus, simple steps can significantly reduce risk. People are advised to check the Smartraveller website for the latest travel advice before travelling overseas, they stated. Nipah virus can be transmitted from animals or contaminated food to humans, as well as directly from person to person.
Authorities specifically recommend that tourists avoid eating any fruit that appears to have been partially consumed by an animal. All fruit should be meticulously cleaned and peeled before consumption.
International Response and Risk Assessment
Human outbreaks of the Nipah virus have historically been confined to South and South-East Asia. The latest outbreak in West Bengal has prompted some nations to reintroduce Covid-era airport screening protocols to prevent international spread.
To date, no cases have been reported outside of India. A spokesperson from the World Health Organisation indicated they do not expect the disease to spread beyond India's borders, stating, As per the available information, WHO considers risk of further spread of infection from these two cases is low. They added, India has the capacity to contain such outbreaks, as demonstrated during the past outbreaks.
Recommended public health responses are being jointly implemented by national and state health teams in India. There is currently no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission. However, the precise source of this infection remains under investigation. It is possible that further exposure to Nipah virus could occur, given known reservoir of Nipah virus in bat population in some parts of India and Bangladesh, including West Bengal, the WHO noted, highlighting the need to strengthen community awareness about risk factors like consumption of raw date palm sap.
Regional Precautions Being Enacted
In response to the new cases, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has implemented health screenings for passengers arriving at major airports from West Bengal. Travellers are being assessed for fever and other Nipah virus symptoms and are being issued health advisory cards. Phuket International Airport is reportedly undergoing enhanced cleaning due to its direct flight connections, and Nepal has also raised its alert levels as a precautionary measure.
