Basic hygiene like hand washing can limit spread of Nipah virus

Flickr/Water For People/Jody Kamp

Bangladeshi researchers have reported simple ways of reducing person to person transmission of Nipah virus — a fresh outbreak of which is spreading in the country.

The virus has similar symptoms to influenza and around half of symptomatic cases are fatal. Of the eighteen people afflicted, eight have died so far, including four children.

According to the Daily Star newspaper, the study shows that simple preventative measures, such as hand washing and minimising contact between people, significantly reduce transmission of the virus.

The researchers — from the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research in Bangladesh — warn that central and northwest Bangladesh remain vulnerable.

They urge doctors treating patients with fever and altered mental status to investigate whether anyone in the local community has shown similar symptoms, and to report multiple cases to the district health authority.

Link to full article in The Daily Star