DOH allays public fears on Nipah virus

MANILA, Philippines, January 30 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) is prepared for the possible entry of the Nipah virus following reported outbreaks in India and Bangladesh. “The DOH’s Bureau of Quarantine continues to be vigilant in all of the country’s airports and seaports, 24 hours,” the DOH said in a statement. The department said the Nipah virus is not new in the country as 17 cases had been detected in Sultan Kudarat in 2014. “No cases were seen after that and the DOH continues to monitor through its Epidemiology Bureau,” it added.

The DOH said seasonal outbreaks occur in Bangladesh and India, and there have been five confirmed cases in West Bengal, India. Around 100 close contacts are being monitored in the South Asian country. According to the World Health Organization, Nipah virus, which can be deadly, is transmitted through several pathways, including animals to humans primarily through fruit bats via contaminated food or directly between humans.

The symptoms include flu, but others had swelling in the brain or encephalitis and meningitis acquired by eating horsemeat and having interaction with a sick person, the DOH said. “Make sure to consume meat that is well cooked and approved by the National Meat Inspection Service,” the DOH noted. It also advised the public to avoid getting near bats or sick animals.

Source: pna.gov.ph