China has no Nipah virus cases but is ready to prevent it: disease control bureau

China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration (NDPA) said on Tuesday that no cases of the Nipah virus have been detected in the country, while confirming that preparedness measures are in place should the virus be imported. The agency conducted a comprehensive risk assessment following a recent outbreak in West Bengal, India, and concluded that the current threat to China remains low due to geographic distance and the virus’s transmission characteristics. The NDPA noted that China has established a robust prevention and control system over several years, including dedicated technical guidelines in place since 2021 that standardize surveillance, reporting, laboratory testing, clinical diagnosis, and disinfection procedures. Authorities said China has developed independent nucleic acid testing methods, maintains a reserve of domestically produced emergency diagnostic kits, and that disease control centers nationwide have the laboratory capacity to quickly detect and confirm potential cases. While the Nipah virus, which is primarily carried by fruit bats, can cause severe respiratory and neurological illness with a high fatality rate, experts said it does not survive well outside a host, limiting the risk of everyday transmission. The NDPA added that public education efforts are ongoing, particularly for travelers to affected areas, emphasizing personal hygiene and avoiding contact with livestock or bats.

Credit : CGTN