‘75% Fatality Rate’ Virus Has No Vaccine or Treatment Yet... Fears of Major Spread via China

[Financial News] The Nipah virus, which can have a fatality rate of up to 75%, is spreading mainly in India. With no available vaccine or treatment, it is regarded as an even more frightening infectious disease than COVID-19.
According to recent foreign media reports, at least five Nipah virus cases have been confirmed so far in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. In response, Indian authorities have urgently quarantined nearly 200 close contacts and begun intensive monitoring.
Nipah virus is usually transmitted to humans through fruit that has been partially eaten by infected bats or through contaminated date palm sap. Human-to-human transmission occurs through contact with bodily fluids.
In the early stages of infection, patients develop high fever and headaches. As the disease progresses, they may experience confusion and then fall into a coma within a day or two.
With a fatality rate of up to 75%, it is more than 50 times deadlier than Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), whose fatality rate was around 1%. Because of this high lethality, clinical trials are limited, and neither a vaccine nor a treatment has been developed so far.
Outside India, the regions on highest alert are neighboring Southeast Asia and China, which is about to enter the massive travel season for Chinese New Year. Experts warn that a secondary wave of infections could occur as the virus spreads through Southeast Asia and China.
Experts advise travelers to closely monitor themselves for symptoms for up to 45 days after returning from abroad. They also stress the importance of strict hygiene, such as washing hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds.
gaa1003@fnnews.com Ahn Ga-eul Reporter