Nipah virus outbreak no immediate threat to SA, says health department

By Charmaine Ndlela

The Department of Health said has said there is no immediate risk to South Africa and no need for public panic following confirmation of two Nipah virus cases in India.

The department said it was working with the NICD, and that scientists had advised the risk outside affected countries was very low, with no need for screening at ports of entry at this stage.

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Nipah virus is a zoonotic infectious disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. Fruit bats have been identified as the natural reservoir of the virus.

The department said it is working closely with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), which is actively monitoring the situation as it develops.

Department of health spokesperson Foster Mohale said South Africa is not currently at risk.