Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) allayed the public’s fears following reports of a Nipah virus outbreak in an Indian state, which prompted some international airports to implement stricter screening measures.
Years after the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos expressed concern over the country’s preparedness to face another public health safety threat after Nipah virus, a zoonotic disease, is recorded in West Bengal, India. The Indian state has five confirmed cases, with another 100 close contacts identified and currently under surveillance.
Health spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo on Tuesday, Jan. 27 said, “The Department of Health is ready.”
Domingo assured the Bureau of Quarantine is closely monitoring all airports and seaports in the country.
“Patuloy po ang pagbantay ng DOH Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) sa lahat ng paliparan at pantalan, 24 oras, may Nipah virus news man o wala,” Domingo said on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
[Translation: The DOH Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) continues to monitor all airports and seaports 24 hours a day, whether or not there is news about the Nipah virus.]
Meanwhile, some airports in neighboring countries like Thailand, Nepal, and Taiwan have recently adopted their COVID-era safety measures to prevent the entry of the Nipah virus.
Domingo said local health officials are familiar with the virus since 17 cases were recorded in Sultan Kudarat in 2014 after they slaughtered and consumed infected horse meat.
“The symptoms were flu-like, but some also had swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and meningitis. These were acquired by eating horse meat and being in contact with a sick person,” Domingo said.
The health official mentioned that no case has been reported in the country since 2014, promising continued monitoring by the DOH through its Epidemiology Bureau, along with updated guidelines for dealing with suspected Nipah cases.
“Recently in 2023, under the leadership of Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, updated guidelines on responding to the Nipah virus were released,” said Domingo.
With a case fatality rate estimated at 40 to 75 percent, Domingo reminded the public that acquiring the virus can be prevented by avoiding bats or other sick animals.
Domingo urged Filipinos to only consume meat approved by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).
What is Nipah virus?
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods, and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human, wherein the majority of cases involved health care professionals.
Other animals such as pigs and horses can also be infected, although Domingo said that such cases are “rare.”
The WHO also said it was first discovered in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia, followed by outbreaks in Bangladesh in 2001 and some periodic outbreaks in eastern India. The 1999 Malaysia outbreak revealed that its transmission is via direct and unprotected contact with secretions of pigs or tissues of a sick animal.
However, the subsequent Bangladesh and Indian outbreaks also saw the consumption of fruits or fruit products contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats as the most likely source of infection.
Signs and symptoms
People infected with the Nipah virus may experience a range from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory infection (mild to severe) and fatal encephalitis.
Initial symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Altered consciousness
- Neurologic signs
Others may also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, with some progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours due to encephalitis or brain swelling.
Treatment
WHO said that there are no existing medicine or vaccines to combat Nipah virus infection. It added that severe respiratory and neurologic complications call for intensive medical care.
