According to Associate Professor Dr. Le Quoc Hung, Head of the Tropical Diseases Department at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Nipah is an acute infectious disease that can progress rapidly. Infected individuals may develop encephalitis and/or pneumonia, leading to severe respiratory failure. The fatality rate can reach up to 75%.

Due to its severity, Nipah is classified among the diseases that require strict surveillance, early detection, and tight infection control.

Nipah is not a newly emerged virus. Outbreaks have mainly occurred in certain parts of Asia. The first major outbreak was recorded in Malaysia between 1998 and 1999, linked directly to pig farming. Since 2001, Bangladesh has reported annual cases, while India has seen sporadic outbreaks over the years.

Studies suggest the initial source of infection is often animals - particularly fruit bats. Humans can become infected by consuming food or drinks contaminated with bat saliva or urine. One common example is fresh date palm sap, a popular delicacy in some South Asian countries.

Dr. Hung explained that Nipah virus spreads through three main pathways. The most significant is bat-to-human transmission via contaminated food or beverages. The second is through intermediate hosts, especially pigs, when humans come into close contact with sick animals or their secretions during farming, transport, or slaughter.

The third route is human-to-human transmission through close contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, sputum, or nasal secretions.

It’s important to note that Nipah does not spread via airborne transmission like many respiratory viruses. However, it can cause small clusters of cases within families or healthcare settings if close contact occurs without proper protective measures.

One of the challenges with Nipah is that early symptoms are often mistaken for common flu. Initial signs may include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, and vomiting. Some cases may also show mild cough or shortness of breath.

What makes the virus particularly dangerous is its potential to cause rapid-onset encephalitis. For people returning from affected regions or those with close contact to unexplained severe illness, warning signs such as unusual drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, seizures, or sudden changes in consciousness should be taken seriously. Immediate transfer to a facility with intensive care capability is crucial.

No reason to panic

Dr. Hung confirmed that Vietnam has not recorded any Nipah cases so far. In the current context of global travel and trade, the primary risk would come from imported cases originating in regions with active outbreaks or official health alerts.

Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Infectious Disease Association, also emphasized that the public should not compare Nipah to Covid-19. He noted that Nipah is not a new virus, its transmission mechanisms are well understood, and the likelihood of widespread infection in Vietnam is extremely low.

Unlike SARS-CoV-2 - which is highly contagious, airborne, and constantly mutating - Nipah spreads slowly and lacks the potential to spark a global pandemic.

Health experts advise the public to remain calm but cautious. Simple hygiene practices make a difference: wash and peel fruit before eating, avoid consuming fruits with signs of animal contact, and steer clear of raw or unsanitary food and drinks. It’s also important to avoid close contact with bats or animals that appear ill or have died unexpectedly.

Phuong Thuy