The Ministry of Health and Population has issued guidelines for testing for the Nipah virus after the confirmation of infection in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control under the ministry has issued guidelines for testing for the Nipah virus.

Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki said that the department has set criteria for identifying and testing suspected patients. ‘The symptoms of Nipah and common cold are similar, so there is no need to test either,’ he said, ‘We have set criteria for testing from identifying suspected patients to testing.’ 

Last week, Nipah virus was confirmed in two people in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. The Central Center for Disease Control under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India has stated that high precautions were taken after the infection was confirmed in the two people and no additional cases were found.

In addition, the center has also stated that 196 people who came in contact with the two infected people were found to be infected with the virus during health tests. ‘The suspects have been kept under observation, laboratory tests have been conducted for identification, continuous monitoring has been carried out and all necessary public health measures have been adopted,’ said a statement issued by the center. 

There was a demand to arrange testing, pointing out that there is a high risk in Nepal as well, as West Bengal shares its border with Koshi Province. The Ministry of Health has issued a circular to be cautious as there is a risk in Nepal as well. Doctors at the ministry say there is a risk of the infection spreading in Nepal for three reasons.

It is said that there is a high risk as people coming and going through open borders, fruit-eating bats and pigs, as well as domestic animals, are also found here. ‘There is a high risk. But it has not spread here. So far, it has not been confirmed that it has entered Nepal. No suspicious people have been found,’ said Dr. Budhathoki. However, the Ministry of Health has stated that caution has been adopted as per international health standards as the viral spread in India.

He said that preparations and response have been made after assessing the risk of the virus spreading. ‘Surveillance has been increased at borders and airports. Health help desks have been activated,’ he said, ‘PCR labs, test kits, health workers and medicines have been stocked in central and provincial hospitals.’

The testing guidelines state that such patients should be viewed as suspicious if their cold and cough do not improve for a week or if they have breathing problems. “We have asked people who have come from West Bengal, India, or who have had physical contact with people there to be tested,” he said.

The ministry has issued a circular to quarantine such suspected cases during the Covid pandemic. The guidelines state, “Suspected Nipah cases are those people whose health is deteriorating rapidly or who have died. Who have symptoms of difficulty breathing along with fever. Such people should also have an epidemiological link, such as drinking raw palm juice, contact with infected animals, especially bats, and a history of travel to Nipah endemic areas.” 

Nipah is transmitted from animals to humans. It is a zoonotic virus. Nipah is considered more deadly than the coronavirus. People infected with this virus usually experience symptoms of fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing for 3 to 14 days. Some people also experience brain swelling or encephalitis, the organization said.

Severe symptoms include confusion, drowsiness, fainting and some patients may go into a coma within 24 to 48 hours. The organization says the mortality rate is 40-70 percent. Earlier, the department had directed hospitals across the country to report sudden deaths and patients with symptoms similar to Nipah virus.