WHO warns of another pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a pandemic of the Nipah virus, or NiV, discovered in Malaysia in 1999.

Report informs, citing Rossiyskaya Gazeta, that Nipah was found in pig farmers living on the Nipah River banks.

Its wild carriers are bats and flying foxes widespread in South China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Australia. The virus has also been found in foxes flying in Africa. These animals infect people but never get sick from this virus.

Nipah comes in contact with sick pigs that infect humans. The death rate from the virus is 40-75 percent. The disease causes fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and is asymptomatic. No drug has been found against Nipah yet.

The World Health Organization recommends reducing contact with bats and preventing, avoiding physical contact with people infected with the virus, washing hands, and using personal protective equipment.