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Nipah Virus Endemic in Kerala, Bengal: High Mortality, No Vaccine

Dr. Narendra Kumar Arora has identified Kerala and West Bengal as endemic states for the deadly Nipah virus in India. The current outbreak in West Bengal was first detected among five health workers, with investigations now covering hundreds of potential exposures. The virus has an alarmingly high mortality rate of 40% to 75% and currently has no available vaccine. India is working to secure a limited global supply of monoclonal antibodies for treatment while advising minimized contact with fruit bats to prevent transmission.

Key Points: Nipah Virus Endemic in India: Kerala, Bengal Outbreaks

  • Kerala & West Bengal are endemic states
  • Outbreak began among health workers
  • Mortality rate is 40-75%
  • No vaccine currently available
2 min read

"Both Kerala and West Bengal are endemic for Nipah Virus:" Dr Narendra Kumar Arora on the presence of Nipah Virus in India

Dr. Narendra Kumar Arora warns Nipah virus is endemic in Kerala & West Bengal, with high mortality and no vaccine. Learn about the outbreak.

"Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease... mortality is 40 to 75%, which is very high - Dr. Narendra Kumar Arora"

New Delhi, January 27

President of AIIMS Bilaspur, and Chairman of India's Covid-19 Working Group at the National Technical Advisory Group, Dr Narendra Kumar Arora, speaking on the presence of Nipah Virus in India, mentioned that both states Kerala and West Bengal are endemic to the virus.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dr Arora stated that the current outbreak in West Bengal was first reported among five health workers. He added that an investigation is currently underway over another 100 to 200 individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

Dr. Arora further explained that the Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease with a high mortality rate, ranging from 40% to 75%. Describing the disease as highly infectious, he emphasised that the person either develops encephalitis symptoms or severe respiratory disease.

"Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease... These sporadic outbreaks have occurred in both Kerala and West Bengal. But even Bangladesh is endemic for the Nipah virus... The current outbreak was first reported among 5 health workers in West Bengal after a person died of an unknown disease, and later on, these 5 health professionals were involved. An ongoing investigation is now underway into another 100 to 200 people who have been exposed... Nipah virus is that it is highly infectious and fatal... The person either gets symptoms of encephalitis or severe respiratory disease, and mortality is 40 to 75%, which is very high," said Arora.

The AIIMS Bilaspur President further mentioned that no vaccine is currently available for this virus.

"...There is currently no vaccine available for this virus, and monoclonal antibodies are to be given as soon as someone is diagnosed with Nipah virus infection." said Dr Arora.

He also mentioned that there is a very limited supply of these monoclonal antibodies globally, and India has taken this up as a very important initiative to ensure their availability within the country.

"There is a very limited supply of these monoclonal antibodies globally, and India has taken this up as a very important initiative to ensure they are available within the country. I hope that, very soon, we will have a sufficient quantity of monoclonal antibodies in India. But one has to be careful that in areas where these fruit bats are present, human and animal contact is kept to a minimum or avoided to prevent the disease." added Dr Arora.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Health workers getting infected first is a pattern we saw with COVID too. Shows how vulnerable our frontline warriors are. Salute to them. Hope the monoclonal antibody initiative succeeds quickly. We cannot afford to lose more doctors and nurses.
A
Aman W
The focus should be on prevention. In my village in West Bengal, people still consume raw date palm sap (tari) which is a major source. Public awareness is key. Just telling people to avoid bats isn't enough when the transmission route through food is so common.
S
Sarah B
Working in public health here, I appreciate Dr. Arora's clear explanation. The point about global limited supply of treatment is crucial. India taking the initiative to manufacture monoclonal antibodies domestically is a smart, strategic move for national health security.
K
Karthik V
While the information is important, I feel the constant spotlight on Kerala and Bengal for diseases creates unnecessary stigma. We are not the only states with zoonotic issues. The reporting should be more balanced and focus on a national containment strategy.
M
Meera T
After COVID, our system should be better prepared. Contact tracing for 100-200 people is a massive task. Hope the local administrations in Malda and Kozhikode are getting all the central support they need. We cannot be complacent with a virus this deadly.

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