Kolkata: The World Health Organization on Friday said the risk of the Nipah virus spreading remains low at the national, regional and global levels, after health authorities monitored more than 190 contacts linked to two confirmed cases in India.
Anais Legand, an official with the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, told a press briefing in Geneva that none of the identified contacts had tested positive for the virus or shown symptoms so far. The assessment follows intensive contact tracing and surveillance carried out after the cases were confirmed.
Legand said both infected individuals are currently hospitalised and alive, adding that health systems are maintaining close monitoring to prevent further transmission. The WHO continues to work with Indian health authorities to support containment measures, surveillance and public health preparedness.
Nipah virus, a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and through close human contact, has caused periodic outbreaks in parts of India. Health officials have emphasised early detection, isolation and contact tracing as key tools to limit its spread.
