Some airports in Asian countries like Thailand and Nepal implemented stricter airport screening due to reported incidents of a deadly outbreak, the Nipah Virus in West Bengal, India. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the Nipah Virus is commonly found in bats, but it can be transmitted in other animals like pigs.

“In this first outbreak, bats initially spread the Nipah virus to pigs. People who worked closely with the infected pigs got sick, as well,” they said

Moreover, WHO mentioned that the virus is also transmissible from animals to humans through contaminated food. Human-to-human transmission is also possible. 

The fatality rate ranges from 40% to 70%.

The following symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headaches
• Myalgia (Muscle Pain)
• Vomiting
• Sore Throat

In the Philippines, the last recorded case of Nipah Virus was in 2014 in Sultan Kudarat. 

Recently, there have been no recorded cases of the virus in our country.

However, DOH Spokesperson Asec.  Albert Domingo mentioned that the Philippines is ready for the Nipah virus and other diseases, and its epidemiology bureau is consistently monitoring the cases.

He also stated to be cautious in picking the right meat for your meal.

“Pinakamainam na kumain ng karne na aprubado ng ating National Meat Inspection Service o NMIS, at palaging lutuin nang maigi ang pagkain.” he said

[“The best choice is to eat meat that is approved by our National Meat Inspection Service or NMIS, and always cook your meals well.”]

There are no vaccines or medicines that may cure against the virus.

With reports from Gladys Toabi