TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An epidemiologist from Australia’s Griffith University, Dicky Budiman, has warned that the Nipah virus should be viewed not merely as a medical issue, but as a social and ecological disease driven by environmental change, human behavior, and weak health systems.
Speaking on January 27, 2026, Dicky said outbreaks of Nipah are the result of complex interactions involving deforestation, urban expansion, ecosystem disruption, and human mobility. These factors, he explained, increase contact between humans, animals, and disease reservoirs.
How Human Activity Drives Nipah Transmission
According to Dicky, human behavior plays a significant role in the spread of the virus. Unregulated food consumption, poor food safety standards, and weak biosecurity practices in farming environments all contribute to increased risk.
Human mobility and fragile healthcare systems further worsen the situation.
“Early detection is often weak, including infection control in healthcare facilities,” he said, adding that this allows the virus to spread undetected, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Where the Nipah Virus Comes From
The Nipah virus is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus belonging to the Henipavirus genus. Its primary natural reservoir is fruit bats of the Pteropus genus.
Transmission to humans commonly occurs through direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Bat saliva, urine, or feces can contaminate fruit or agricultural products such as oil palm sap, creating pathways for infection.
Communities that frequently enter forest areas face higher risks, especially when people consume fruit contaminated by bat droppings.
“This is common in many low- and middle-income countries, including Indonesia,” Dicky said, adding that the potential for Nipah transmission exists in the country.
Human-to-Human Transmission and Symptoms
The virus can also spread between humans, mainly through close contact with bodily fluids, particularly during patient care.
Clinical symptoms vary. Early signs include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat, and flu-like symptoms. In more advanced stages, patients may experience breathing difficulties, pneumonia, and neurological complications.
“In severe cases, the virus can cause encephalitis, leading to confusion, seizures, coma, and death,” Dicky said.
Nipah is known for its high fatality rate. Case fatality rates range from 40 percent to 75 percent, depending largely on how quickly patients receive medical care.
There is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah virus. While research is ongoing, no breakthrough has yet emerged.
As a result, treatment relies on supportive care, including symptom management and intensive care for severe cases.
Prevention and Surveillance Remain Key
Dicky emphasized that prevention focuses on reducing contact between humans and animals. He advised avoiding fruit or juices that may be contaminated by bats, thoroughly washing fruit collected from forest areas, and keeping domestic animals away from bat habitats.
He also urged the government to strengthen infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities. Suspected cases should be isolated quickly, health workers should be equipped with proper protective gear, and surveillance should be strengthened down to the community health center level.
In addition, Dicky called for stricter monitoring of international travelers at airports, particularly those arriving from outbreak-prone regions.
“International health regulations must be enforced, especially for travelers from affected areas such as India or Bangladesh,” he said.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) monitoring, as of January 25, 2026, two confirmed cases and three suspected cases of Nipah virus had been reported in West Bengal, India.
The first cases were detected on January 11, with the number rising to five by January 25.
Read: Small Lifestyle Changes May Extend Life, UK Study Reveals
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
