The Nipah virus has once again drawn global attention after reports of infections and deaths in India, triggering concern among health authorities worldwide. Although outbreaks have remained limited so far, experts warn that the virus’s exceptionally high fatality rate makes it a serious public health threat that requires close monitoring and rapid response.
Health officials have emphasized that Nipah is far less contagious than COVID-19, which spread rapidly across the world through airborne transmission. However, what makes Nipah particularly alarming is its severity, as a significant proportion of infected individuals develop life-threatening complications affecting the brain and respiratory system.
Nipah is an RNA virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family and the Henipavirus genus, the same group as the Hendra virus. COVID-19, on the other hand, is caused by a coronavirus that primarily targets the respiratory system and can range from mild illness to severe pneumonia.
Nipah infection often begins with flu-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, and sore throat. In serious cases, the virus attacks the nervous system, causing dizziness, confusion, seizures, breathing difficulty, and in some instances, coma within just 24 to 48 hours.
Survivors of Nipah infection may suffer long-term neurological complications, such as persistent seizures or noticeable personality changes. By contrast, COVID-19 typically presents with fever, cough, and breathing problems, and while it can be deadly, many infected individuals recover without long-term effects.
Experts note that Nipah does not spread easily from person to person and usually requires close contact with bodily fluids like blood or saliva. The virus is mainly transmitted from animals to humans, with fruit bats serving as natural hosts. Past outbreaks have shown fatality rates between 40 and 75 percent, far higher than COVID-19.
Also read: Nipah Virus Alert: Pakistan Begins Passenger Screening Amid Outbreak
