Beware of Excessive Drowsiness, Early Symptoms that are Rarely Known from the Nipah Virus

JAKARTA - Recently, several people infected with the Nipah virus have reported feeling unusually excessive drowsiness. This symptom often appears after fever, headache, and muscle pain, so it is a warning sign that needs to be watched out for.

As reported by the BBC website, the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India, has raised concerns in Asia, so that several countries have tightened airport inspections.

Thailand is screening passengers at three international airports that receive flights from West Bengal, while Nepal is checking arrivals at Kathmandu airport and land border posts with India.

So far, two cases have been confirmed in West Bengal since last December, occurring in health workers. The Indian Ministry of Health is tracking about 196 people who have been in contact with the patient and the test results are negative.

Nipah virus can be transmitted from animals, such as pigs and fruit bats, to humans, as well as between humans through contaminated food. The mortality rate is high, between 40% to 75%, because there is no approved vaccine or drug.

The WHO included the Nipah virus in the list of ten priority diseases, on par with Covid-19 and Zika, due to its potential for large outbreaks.

The incubation period is 4-14 days, with initial symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat. Some people may experience drowsiness, changes in consciousness, or pneumonia. Severe cases can lead to encephalitis, a fatal brain inflammation.

The Nipah outbreak was first identified in 1998 among pig farmers in Malaysia, then spread to Singapore. The name of the virus is taken from the village where the virus was first discovered.

More than 100 people died and one million pigs were destroyed, causing huge losses for farmers. Bangladesh is one of the countries most affected since 2001, with more than 100 people dead. In India, outbreaks were recorded in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007, and in Kerala in 2018 and 2023.

"This situation is being monitored, and all necessary public health measures have been implemented," said the Indian Ministry of Health.

The patient's contacts have been tracked, monitored, and tested, without showing symptoms.

Until now, there have been no cases outside India, but several countries have increased vigilance. Thailand asks passengers to fill out a health declaration form, and tighten inspections at natural attractions.

Nepal is also checking arrivals through airports and land borders. Meanwhile, Taiwan proposed that the Nipah virus be included in the 'Category 5 Notifiable Disease', which means a rare or new infection with a high risk to public health, requiring immediate reporting and special control.