What is Nipah virus?

Nipah virus is a rare zoonotic disease. This means it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread through contaminated food and between people, however this is rare.

Nipah virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1988. Since then, there have been cases in other countries, including:

• Bangladesh
• India
• Singapore
• Philippines

Nipah virus has never been detected in Australia. Nipah virus is closely related to Hendra virus, which has been found in Australia.

What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?

Nipah virus infection can cause a range of symptoms depending on how severe it is.

Symptoms of Nipah virus infection include:

• fever (a temperature of 38℃ or higher)
• headache
• muscle aches
• fatigue
• coughing or shortness of breath
• vomiting or diarrhoea
• dizziness

In severe cases, Nipah virus infection can cause encephalitis (swelling in your brain). Symptoms of encephalitis include:

• neck stiffness
• photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• confusion
• coma

Sometimes, Nipah virus infection doesn't cause any symptoms.

Symptoms of Nipah virus infection usually start between 3 days and 2 weeks after you have been exposed to the virus. In rare cases, symptoms can appear up to 45 days later.

What causes Nipah virus?

Nipah virus infection is caused by the Nipah virus. Fruit bats that live in parts of Asia and Australia can carry the Nipah virus. Outbreaks (a group of cases of the disease) have also occurred in farm animals, such as pigs and horses.

You can become infected with Nipah virus through:

• contact with an animal carrying the virus
• eating fruit or fruit products contaminated by an animal carrying the virus
• close contact with another person with Nipah virus infection — this can be via saliva or droplets spread when they cough

Person-to-person spread of Nipah virus is rare, but can occur among:

• family members
• caregivers
• healthcare workers

The chance of person-to-person spread of Nipah virus is higher in:

• overcrowded areas
• areas with poor airflow
• some healthcare settings

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if you have any symptoms of Nipah virus infection.

This is especially important if you have recently travelled to an affected area, or you have been in contact with someone who may have Nipah virus infection.

Early diagnosis and treatment of Nipah virus improves your chance of making a full recovery.

If you think you could have Nipah virus, tell your doctor's receptionist before your appointment. This way, staff can take steps to help prevent the spread of infection.

How is Nipah virus diagnosed?

To diagnose Nipah virus infection, your doctor will:

• ask about your symptoms
• ask about recent travel, such as to areas affected by Nipah virus
• contact your Local Public Health unit to organise testing — samples that may contain Nipah virus must be handled by specially trained staff

Nipah virus can be hard to diagnose because many of the symptoms are similar to other viral infections. To diagnose Nipah virus infection, your doctor will arrange testing. This may include a:

• throat or nose swab
• blood test
• urine test
• lumbar puncture (spinal fluid test)

How is Nipah virus treated?

There is no specific treatment or cure for Nipah virus infection.

Treatment focuses on supporting your body while it fights the infection. You can also have treatment for any complications that may occur.

If you have Nipah virus infection, often you will need to be treated in hospital. Treatment may include:

• oxygen therapy
• intravenous fluids (fluids given directly into your vein)
• renal dialysis (blood filtering for kidney failure)

If you have suspected or confirmed Nipah virus, you will be cared for in isolation. This means you are cared for in a single room, usually with separate air circulation. Healthcare staff will wear protective clothing. This is to prevent the virus spreading to other people.

What are the complications of Nipah virus?

Nipah virus infection can cause serious complications.

Respiratory system complications include:

• pneumonia
• lung failure

Nipah virus infection can lead to encephalitis, which may cause:

• seizures
• coma
• long-term neurological problems, such as memory difficulties

In some cases, people relapse (get worse) or develop delayed-onset encephalitis after initially recovering.

Around 1 in every 2 people with Nipah virus infection die from the disease.

Can Nipah virus be prevented?

There is no vaccine available to prevent Nipah virus infection. To prevent infection, you need to avoid exposure to the virus.

Overseas travel

If you are travelling to an area where Nipah virus may be present, here are some ways to help reduce your chance of exposure:

• Read the latest travel health advice on Smartraveller before you go.
• Practise good hand hygiene when travelling — this includes regularly washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Wash and peel fruit yourself before eating it.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is unwell.

Contact with animals

To help lower your risk of catching Nipah virus from an animal, you should:

• avoid contact with animals when in affected areas, especially fruit bats and pigs. If you do have contact with animals, wear protective clothing such as gloves, gown, boots and a mask.
• not eat any fruit or fruit juice that may have been in contact with animals — particularly raw or fermented date palm juice

If you think an animal in Australia could have Nipah virus infection, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Contact with infected people

Nipah virus can spread from person-to-person through close contact. This includes contact with body fluids such as saliva, urine or blood.

If you are treating or caring for someone with suspected Nipah virus, wear personal protective equipment, including:

• a medical mask
• eye protection
• a gown
• gloves

Anyone with suspected Nipah virus infection should avoid communal areas and seek medical care to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Public health measures

Health authorities closely monitor any outbreaks overseas to help prevent Nipah virus spreading to Australia. Public health measures may include:

• contact tracing
• providing advice to people who may have been exposed
• restricting animal movement — stopping animals from being transported into Australia from affected farms or regions

Resources and support

Find current travel recommendations for different countries on Smartraveller.

Learn more about the symptoms and diagnosis of Nipah virus, on the World Health Organisation.

Get updates about Nipah virus from Australian Centre for Disease Control.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry offers information on other viruses, such as the Hendra virus.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.