Nipah virus is one of the next pandemic threats, warns an Oxford scientist who developed a vaccine for AstraZeneca Against COVID-19, Sarah Gilbert.
According to her, there is still no vaccine for this virus, and studies that were underway had to be interrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If we had a delta type of Nipah virus, we would suddenly have a highly transmissible virus with a 50 per cent mortality rate,” Sarah Gilbert said during an event at the Cheltenham Festival of Literature in the UK.
Credit: Dr_Microbe/istockResearchers fear that the Nipah virus may lead to a new pandemic
Nipah tops the list of ten priority diseases identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).Who is the) have been identified as potential sources of future epidemics.
virus made a A recent victim in India Hundreds of nearby contacts were forced into isolation to contain a potential outbreak.
What is the Nipah virus?
It is a zoonotic disease, i.e. transmitted from animal to human. It is usually transmitted by eating fruit contaminated with saliva or urine from infected bats, which are the natural reservoir for this virus.
Credit: CraigRJD/iStockBats are the natural reservoirs of this virus
Transmission can also occur directly from person to person or from contact with infected pigs.
Since its discovery in Malaysia among pig farmers, the virus has caused some outbreaks in Asia among humans. In addition to India and Malaysia, cases have also been recorded in Indonesia. In Brazil, there is no record yet.
Signs and symptoms
The incubation period (ranging from infection to onset of symptoms) is believed to be 4 to 14 days.
Nipah virus causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and difficulty breathing.
Also, in more severe cases, it can cause the brain to swell and the condition to progress into a coma.
The mortality rate is estimated to be around 40% to 75%. There is no specific treatment, only supportive treatment to relieve symptoms.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.