The Nipah virus cannot cause an epidemic or pandemic, but its occasional introduction into Russia is not theoretically excluded.
AZERTAC reports that this was stated by Doctor of Medical Sciences Vladimir Nikiforov. He noted that the natural source of the infection in India is fruit bats, and transmission is only possible through contact with animals or their secretions. The virus is not transmitted from person to person.
The Nipah virus belongs to zoonotic infections and is transmitted to humans from animals. It can cause severe encephalitis and respiratory diseases, and in some cases, the mortality rate can reach 80 percent.
As the main preventive measures, specialists recommend avoiding contact with sick animals, regularly washing hands with soap and antiseptics, thoroughly washing vegetables and fruits before use, and not drinking water from unchecked sources. The main symptoms of the disease are high fever, cough, and severe headache. Rospotrebnadzor reports that there have been no cases of the disease caused by the Nipah virus being introduced into Russia. There are sufficient test systems in the country to carry out timely laboratory diagnostics.
According to media reports, measures are being taken in India to prevent the spread of the virus, and 100 people who have been in contact with patients have been quarantined.
