Australia must draw on the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic to proactively manage the potential threat of a Nipah virus outbreak, according to one of the nation’s foremost infectious disease experts. Professor Allen Cheng has emphasized the importance of strategic planning, vigilant monitoring of potential cases, and readiness to respond swiftly if the virus reaches Australian shores.
As of early February, the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the risk of international spread as low, with no cases reported outside India, following two confirmed infections in West Bengal late last month. Nevertheless, several Asian nations have heightened airport health screenings for travelers as a precautionary measure, and Australian health officials are closely monitoring the evolving situation.
Professor Cheng, who serves as the Professor of Infectious Diseases at Monash University, stated that while Nipah is distinct from Covid-19, the underlying principles of preparedness remain consistent. “We need to plan and prepare so that we know what is happening, monitor for cases that might arrive in Australia, and know what to do if a case is detected,” he told Yahoo News Australia. “We need to be alert for cases, particularly in travelers to countries where it is present.”
Nipah Virus: A Potential Threat
Despite the current low risk of Nipah virus spread in Australia, Professor Cheng cautioned that the consequences could be severe if the virus were to arrive. “There are currently no vaccines to treat it,” he noted. “There was an early-stage study of a treatment published in Australia in 2020, but it is still a long way before later stage studies to test whether it works.”
Describing Nipah as a “terrible disease,” Professor Cheng highlighted its high mortality rate, with approximately half of those who develop severe infections succumbing to the illness. Symptoms can range in severity, and the virus can cause pneumonia and encephalitis, the latter being a severe inflammation of the brain associated with significant mortality.
Transmission and Prevention
The Nipah virus is transmitted through three primary routes: direct contact with infected animals, particularly bats and pigs; consumption of contaminated food, such as date palm sap; and human-to-human transmission. “In South Asia, contaminated food is thought to be a major way it is transmitted,” Professor Cheng explained.
While fruit bats carrying the Nipah virus are present in Australia, there is no evidence of infected bats within the country. However, a closely related virus, the Hendra virus, has been found in bats and has led to infections in horses and humans in Australia.
“I’d probably suggest avoiding foods that have been implicated in transmission (date palm sap drinks), making sure fruit and vegetables are washed, peeled and/or cooked and avoiding contact with bats and wild animals,” Professor Cheng advised.
Preparedness and Response
Although Nipah virus is not formally tracked in Australia, healthcare professionals remain vigilant, particularly with returned travelers. Suspected cases would be managed by public health units, and due to the limited number of specialized laboratories capable of diagnosing Nipah, authorities would be promptly informed of any positive tests.
“This means the virus isn’t routinely reported nationwide, but systems are in place to respond rapidly if a case does appear,” Professor Cheng added. He also suggested that travelers should prioritize more common infections such as malaria, typhoid, and dengue, and consult their GP before traveling.
The call for preparedness comes as health authorities worldwide remain alert to emerging infectious diseases, underscoring the importance of robust public health strategies to mitigate potential threats.
