The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the possibility of a pandemic, which could be caused by the Nipah or NiV virus identified in Malaysia in 1999. About this on Thursday, January 28, writes “Russian newspaper”.
The Nipah virus was found among pig farmers living on the Nipah River, from which it got its name. Its carriers in the wild are fruit-eating flying foxes from the order of fruit bats, widespread in southern China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia. In addition, the virus was detected in flying foxes in Africa. It is noteworthy that the animals themselves do not get sick with it.
Nipah is transmitted to humans after contact with sick pigs, as well as after eating date fruits contaminated with the secretions of infected animals. The mortality rate from the virus can be 40-75 percent, despite the fact that it is spreading rapidly. The disease can cause fatal encephalitis, as well as be asymptomatic. No cure has yet been invented for it.
To prevent the spread of Nipah, WHO recommends reducing bats' exposure to fruits and other foods. The fruit should be washed and peeled, and the date milk should be boiled. Do not eat fruit with bat bites. You can contact sick animals when using protective equipment. You should also avoid physical contact with people infected with Nipah, wash your hands and use personal protective equipment.
Earlier, the director of the WHO emergency program, Michael Ryan, said that coronavirus infection in the future may become endemic, that is, characteristic of a certain area. According to Ryan, coronavirus has a number of characteristics that make it very difficult to get rid of it completely.
