المملكة: Specialists for "today": "Nipah" A high-risk virus… and health preparedness is restricting its spread

She added that transmission of the virus from one person to another is possible through direct contact with infected cases, albeit at a lower rate compared to other methods of transmission, explaining that the incubation period usually ranges between 4 and 14 days, and in rare cases may extend to 45 days.

She indicated that symptoms often begin with fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat, and may later develop into dizziness and drowsiness. A change in the level of consciousness, and neurological symptoms indicating acute encephalitis, in addition to atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, and advanced cases may lead to epileptic seizures and coma within 24 to 48 hours.

She explained that prevention depends on two main paths; Reducing the transmission of the virus between animals, and reducing the transmission of infection between humans through strict adherence to preventive measures, including gloves, medical masks, and protective clothing, and applying infection control protocols within health facilities.

She confirmed that the Kingdom is safe – God willing -, noting that any suspicion of an infectious virus requires activating health protocols in all outlets and circulating them to health facilities, with immediate reporting to ensure rapid isolation, treatment, and prevention of spread.

She indicated that the cases There were five cases recorded in India, including infections among medical personnel, in addition to isolating nearly 100 suspected cases until confirmation of infection or freedom from the disease, confirming that there is not yet an approved specific treatment for the Nipah virus.

For his part, emergency medicine consultant Dr. Bassem Al-Bahrani explained that the Nipah virus is considered one of the most dangerous viruses known, as it may reach

The death rate is between 40 and 75 percent, indicating that its primary transmission is through bats or food contaminated with their secretions, with a limited but documented ability to transmit between humans, especially in cases of close contact and inside health facilities, which explains the recording of infections among health workers, stressing that the risk of widespread spread remains low.

He added that symptoms may develop quickly from fever, headache, and vomiting. It leads to disturbances in consciousness, convulsions, and severe encephalitis, which makes early suspicion and rapid intervention crucial, stressing that prevention includes immediate isolation, use of personal protective equipment, application of infection control procedures, contact tracing, and awareness of avoiding contaminated food.

In the same context, infectious diseases consultant Dr. Olayan Al Olayan said that the Nipah virus (NiV) was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak between… Pig breeders in Malaysia and Singapore, where it caused the infection of about 300 people and the death of more than 100 cases, confirming that no new outbreaks have been recorded in the two countries since then.

He explained that the virus was later discovered in India and Bangladesh in 2001, and since that time sporadic local outbreaks have been recorded in these two countries, indicating that the virus is transmitted through the fluids of infected animals or food contaminated with them, and can be transmitted from the infected person to another. Contact

It is a global pandemic and appears in a limited geographical scope, and there is no cause for concern in light of the precautionary measures applied at ports and borders.
For her part, Professor of Public Health and Epidemic Control, Dr. Nabila Al Abdullah, confirmed that the Nipah virus is considered a high epidemiological risk due to its high mortality rate and its limited ability to transmit between humans, especially in health environments when infection control measures are absent, stressing the importance of early suspicion, immediate isolation, and strict adherence. With preventive measures.

She explained that the risk of transmission of the virus to the Kingdom is low, but the intensity of travel, especially during the Umrah season and peak periods such as the month of Ramadan, requires continuous preparedness, by enhancing health screening at ports, clinical readiness, health awareness, and applying infection control procedures within health facilities, to ensure the protection of public health.

For his part, infectious diseases consultant Dr. Ali Al-Shehri explained that the Nipah virus is considered a virus of animal origin, and is considered

The fruit bat is its primary host, indicating that its transmission to humans occurs either through contact with bats in their natural habitat or contact with surfaces contaminated with their droppings.

He added that transmission of infection between humans occurs through close contact or direct exposure to the fluids of the infected person, explaining that a review of all previous outbreaks indicates that the groups most at risk of infection are the patient’s health care providers, whether relatives, friends, or health practitioners, The possibility of transmission increases when the infected person has respiratory symptoms.

He indicated that India recorded about ten outbreaks of varying severity, but they were all confined to specific areas, pointing out that the Nipah virus is highly virulent and the death rate may reach about 80 percent. He stressed that, based on reports of previous outbreaks, the nature of the virus, and the severity of the disease, the infection is not expected to spread outside the affected areas. Al-Shehri stressed the importance of adhering to prevention methods, staying away from infected areas, and following the recommendations of competent health institutions, stressing that awareness and adherence to health instructions represent the first line of defense for preventing the disease.