Hnin Nwe Ni — On Monday, the Arakan Public Health Department under the AA issued a warning to the Arakanese community to take extra precautions against the dangerous Nipah virus currently spreading in India, near Northern Rakhine state.

On January 27, the Department released a statement outlining the symptoms, transmission routes, and preventive measures for the highly deadly Nipah virus that is spreading in India.

Symptoms of the illness can include fever, muscle pain, headaches, vomiting, a sore throat, dizziness, encephalitis, and seizures.

The virus may be spread through fruits that bats have bitten, along with saliva, urine, and feces.

To prevent the Nipah virus, it is advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, steer clear of consuming fruits that may have been gnawed by bats, refrain from close contact with individuals who are ill or suspected of being ill, and use protective gear like masks and gloves when treating a patient.

As there is currently no treatment for the Nipah virus, prevention remains the best strategy. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to seek medical attention at a hospital, clinic, or health center without delay.

First identified in 1998 among pig farmers in Malaysia, the Nipah virus is a severe zoonotic disease. Recent years have seen outbreaks in Bangladesh and India. An outbreak also occurred in the Indian state of Kerala in 2024, which was brought under control thanks to the government’s swift action.

Nevertheless, the number of virus cases has surged again in the past week within the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.