Maria Katrina Paras

Article (news)

Nipah Virus

<p>In India, there&#x27;s a breakout of the <strong>Nipah virus</strong>, a virus that is spread by fruit bats and can make people and other animals sick. According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nipah-virus/about/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Centers for Disease Control (CDC)</strong></a>, it can be spread from person to person, and outbreaks occur nearly every year in parts of Asia, often in India and Bangladesh. Nipah virus causes a disease that can spread between animals and people. Nipah virus is carried by fruit bats (genus Pteropus), also known as flying foxes. The virus is not new, as it was discovered in 1999.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769593039081Bat.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">The virus is carried by fruit bats | Photo for illustration purposes</span></span></span></div><div><strong>The 2026 outbreak situation</strong></div><p>According to the British News site <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7zp581q5do" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BBC</a>, an outbreak of the virus currently comes from West Bengal state in India. &quot;Two cases have been confirmed in West Bengal since December, reportedly in healthcare workers. Some 196 people who were in contact with them have been traced and tested negative for the virus, India&#x27;s health ministry says.&quot;</p><p><strong></strong>Currently, in the Philippines, there are no confirmed cases of the virus. <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/1/28/doh-why-nipah-virus-outbreak-is-unlikely-in-metro-manila-1335" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ABS-CBN News</a> states, &quot;The Department of Health on Wednesday said it is possible that the Nipah virus is already in Mindanao but is unlikely to cause an outbreak due to its low transmission rate.&quot; </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769593532903Nipah.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Airports across Asia tighten screening.</span></span></span></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>Asian airports tighten screening</strong></div><p><strong></strong>With the news of the outbreak, airports across Asia have tightened security to contain the virus. The virus has a low transmission rate, and unlike Covid-19 which is airborne, Nipah is not. </p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>How to Protect Yourself from Nipah</strong></div><p>Symptoms of the virus, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nipah-virus/about/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CDC</a>, &quot;can cause mild to severe disease, including swelling of the brain and death. People with Nipah are typically sick for 3 to 14 days with fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Later in the infection, some people may experience brain swelling, or encephalitis, where severe symptoms can include confusion, drowsiness, and seizures. People with these symptoms can fall into a coma within 24-48 hours.&quot;</p><p>To avoid getting the virus yourself, good hygiene is always recommended. Wash your hands properly with soap and water every time you can, and bring your trusty alcohol spray with you wherever you go. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769593959764Hygiene.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Practice good personal hygiene.</span></span></span></div><p>Apart from the obvious, the public is advised to avoid contact with flying fox bats or sick pigs, avoid areas where bats roost, avoid touching anything that could be soiled by bats, avoid eating raw date palm sap or fruit that could be soiled by bats, and avoid contact with the blood or body fluids of someone with Nipah.</p><p>Stay safe, dear reader!</p>

There Is a Nipah Virus Outbreak. Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself From It!

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There Is a Nipah Virus Outbreak. Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself From It!

Metro.Style Team

Published Jan 28, 2026 06:00 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 28, 2026 06:02 PM PHT

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Nipah Virus

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