Health Department allays fears amid Nipah virus outbreak concerns

The national health department urged South Africans to remain calm amid concerns over a possible Nipah virus outbreak.

The virus is zoonotic, typically spreading from animals such as bats to humans.

It can also be transmitted through contaminated food or from person to person.

While the outbreak has been reported in Asia, with two confirmed cases in India, health spokesperson - Foster Mohale reassured citizens that South Africa is not affected.

“There is no immediate risk to South Africa and there is no need for public to panic. The department is working closely with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) which is closely monitoring the situation as the outbreak evolves and will keep the public informed of any new developments.”

He said the risk is currently low.

“The virus is currently not categorised under notifiable medical conditions but will be categorised as a respiratory disease of unknown origin which is notifiable. Laboratory testing is available at the NICD and key resources have been updated to include current outbreak specifics.”