In recent days, images of officers in disguise have emerged Biohazard suits in a warehouse in Dover, on England’s southern border, on the English Channel, where illegal immigrants from France arrive. These images came after the first cases of the Nipah virus appeared in India and after two immigrants arrived by boat from France saying they were not feeling well. After these two cases, the Interior Ministry, announced measures to contain the risk of the virus spreading. Health officials decided to take matters into their own hands with these tents.
Nipah virus is a type of RNA virus (like coronavirus) of the genus Henipavirus that is transmitted between certain species of flying foxes. It can spread between people and from animals to people (zoonoses). Spread usually requires direct contact with an infected source. Symptoms of the infection vary and can include fever, cough, headache, shortness of breath and confusion. It can be complicated if the patient falls into a coma. Complications may include brain swelling and seizures after recovery. There is no vaccine or specific treatment.
The first Nipah epidemic was recorded in 1998 after the virus spread among pig farmers in Malaysia. The virus is named after the city in this Southeast Asian country where it was discovered: Sungai Nipah. There have been about 700 human cases, and between 50 and 75 percent of those infected died. The big problem with this virus is its high mortality. The Malaysian virus was isolated in 1999 after millions of pigs were slaughtered to prevent its spread.
Since then, four more outbreaks have been identified, all in the Kerala area in southwest India. The first was in May 2018 and 17 infected people died. The latest case is currently occurring and five cases have been identified.
Now this camp was set up on the border with Dover and The agents are seen wearing the same suits they used to fight Covid. In addition, several blue biohazard tents were set up near the main corridor where border troops ships disembark migrants.
A spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) told Daily Maul that it is closely monitoring the development of the outbreak in India. “The UKHSA Zoonoses and Emerging Infections team continues to closely monitor the Nipah outbreak through our epidemic intelligence processes.“, revealed. And he added that “Nipah virus has not been detected in the UK and the risk of importation into the UK is very low.” Nevertheless, they are very vigilant.
Surveillance
He Professor Miles Carroll, The emerging virus expert at the Institute of Pandemic Sciences at the University of Oxford said they were also closely monitoring the outbreak. “Two deaths and five infections have been confirmed so far, most of which are relatives of the first patient,” Carroll said. Scientists at Oxford are working with local partners in endemic countries to find out more about Nipah “And so we can ensure that the world is better protected against outbreaks of this kind.”
Professor Carroll added that Oxford researchers are currently using the same technology as has developed the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine in preparation for a clinical trial of the new Nipah vaccine. even though they don’t have it yet. He reiterates that there has never been a recorded case of Nipah in the UK. However, keep this in mind The virus has an incubation period between 4 and 14 days meaning it is theoretically possible for a case to be imported into the UK.
