PH READY FOR NIPAH VIRUS – DOH

PHILIPPINES  is prepared to respond to the Nipah virus, the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday assured.

The DOH said the country has dealt with the disease before.

DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said cases of the Nipah virus were recorded in Sultan Kudarat in 2014, when 17 infections were reported.

“The symptoms were flu, but some also had swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and meningitis. These were acquired by eating horse meat and being in contact with a sick person,” Domingo said.

The health official said no new cases have been detected in the country since 2014, but the virus continues to be monitored through the DOH Epidemiology Bureau.

“The Department of Health is ready for the Nipah virus and other diseases. In fact, this is not new to us,” Domingo said.

The health department assured the public of the country’s preparedness against the Nipah virus, citing strengthened surveillance systems and updated response guidelines amid reported cases abroad.

The DOH said the Nipah virus is a rare zoonotic disease, or one that originates from animals, with fruit bats identified as its primary reservoir.

Other animals such as pigs and horses may also become infected and transmit the virus to humans.

Early symptoms of Nipah virus infection include fever, headache, sore throat, cough and difficulty breathing, which could worsen to encephalitis or swelling of the brain.

There is no drugs or vaccine for the infection. Treatment is mainly supportive care like rest and hydration.

While Nipah virus case fatality rate is high at 40 to 75 percent, Domingo said it is easy to contain unlike COVID-19 which is airborne,

Nipah virus was first detected in Malaysia in 1998 and later in Singapore in 1999, outbreaks that were eventually contained. Seasonal outbreaks have since been reported in Bangladesh and India.

Five confirmed Nipah virus cases were recently reported in West Bengal, India, with around 100 identified close contacts currently under monitoring by Indian health authorities.

The DOH Bureau of Quarantine has begun implementing strict health protocols, including passenger screenings, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other points of entry amid the Nipah virus fears.

“Patuloy po ang pagbantay ng DOH Bureau of Quarantine sa lahat ng paliparan at pantalan, 24 oras, may Nipah virus man o wala,” Domingo told reporters in a Viber message.

The DOH advised the public to avoid contact with bats and other sick animals, ensure that meat products are approved by the National Meat Inspection Service, and to always cook food thoroughly to reduce the risk of infection.

People were urged to remain calm as the Health Department is  closely monitoring global developments and is prepared to respond should any suspected case arise in the country.

Meanwhile, some airports in Asia have also tightened surveillance and health screening following reports of a Nipah virus outbreak in India.