Health authorities on high alert in Asia over 'brain-killing' virus

Health authorities in India and neighbouring Asian nations are on high alert following a new, localised outbreak of the Nipah virus (NiV), also known as the ‘brain-killing' virus.

World news correspondent Adam Gilchrist reported that two cases have been confirmed in West Bengal.

“It comes from fruit bats in Asia, [and] it transmits from human to human. There is no cure or vaccine.”

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He explained that it has raised significant concern due to the virus’s high fatality rate and its ability to cause severe, often fatal, inflammation of the brain.

“It attacks the brain, it begins with flu-like symptoms, fever, body aches, vomiting, and then it mushrooms and gets worse. There is an estimated 60% death rate,” Gilchrist said.

To listen to Adam Gilchrist in conversation with 702’s Bongani Bingwa, click the audio player below (skip to 3.04):