KATHMANDU, Jan 25: Health experts have urged heightened caution, stating that Nepal faces a high risk due to the spread of the Nipah virus in India’s West Bengal. Citing the elevated risk to Nepal, the Health Emergency and Disaster Management Center under the Ministry of Health and Population has placed border points, health institutions, and hospitals on high alert.
According to ministry spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki, instructions have already been issued to set up health desks at border crossings, closely monitor patients, and ensure hospitals follow proper treatment, testing, and reporting mechanisms if patients with suspected symptoms are identified. “All hospitals have been instructed to collect samples and send them to the National Public Health Laboratory,” he said.
The first Nipah virus case in West Bengal was identified last Monday. Within this period, infection has been confirmed in five people, while one individual has been placed in quarantine. Indian media reports say around 30 people are under close monitoring. Among those infected are two nurses, a doctor, and other health workers. Three of the infected individuals are in critical condition and are currently receiving treatment in intensive care units.
Coordinator of the Research Division at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, said Nepal remains at high risk due to the open border and frequent cross-border movement with West Bengal. He added that Nepal also has species of bats and pigs capable of transmitting the Nipah virus, increasing the likelihood of infection.
Bats that spread Nipah virus are found in abundance in Nepal
Ministry spokesperson Budhathoki said daily land-route travel from West Bengal to Nepal further heightens the risk. “There is direct movement, and people may have entered Nepal before showing symptoms of infection,” he said.
What is Nipah virus?
Nipah is a virus found in bats. It can spread to humans through animals such as cattle and pigs. Transmission occurs from animals to animals, animals to humans, and humans to humans. Animals can be infected by consuming fruits contaminated by bats or through contact between bats, pigs, and cattle. Humans can be infected through direct contact with the blood, stool, or urine of infected individuals. Doctors say the virus can also spread through close contact with infected pigs or people.
The Nipah virus was first identified in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998. In India, it has appeared multiple times. In recent years, outbreaks were reported in Kerala in 2023, Bangladesh in 2001, and Siliguri in West Bengal recently.
Symptoms generally appear within four to eight days of infection and include severe headache, fever, dizziness, muscle pain, nausea, breathing difficulties, and sore throat. The fatality rate of Nipah virus infection is around 40 percent. Due to its high mortality rate, doctors emphasize prevention as the most effective measure.
Although no Nipah virus case has been confirmed in Nepal so far, Dr Pun warned that the presence of virus-carrying bat species places the country at high risk. He also noted that Nepal currently lacks routine testing for Nipah virus and stressed the need for laboratory facilities at Biosafety Level-4, which requires significant laboratory preparedness.
How to prevent infection
– Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
– Cook vegetables whenever possible
– Keep cattle sheds and farms clean
– Use masks while cutting or cooking meat
– Drink boiled water
– Wash hands regularly with soap and water
– Wear masks in crowded places
