Alert Plan for Nipah Virus: Heightened Vigilance at Plaisance Airport, Souillac Hospital Designated as Isolation Center
Surveillance has been intensified at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport to prevent the spread of the Nipah virus. Following the confirmation of two cases in India, the Ministry of Health decided to elevate health vigilance levels.
Special attention is being given to passengers arriving from the Indian mainland, particularly from West Bengal. Souillac Hospital has been designated as the isolation center and is equipped with a specialized unit and the necessary tests to detect any suspicious cases, according to health authorities.
Although the Indian government claims that the risks of spread have been contained, several countries in the region have strengthened their surveillance measures following the detection of these two Nipah virus cases, which are known to be fatal. In Mauritius, authorities have reactivated the health response plan implemented during the disease's emergence eight years ago.
Mauritian passengers and tourists arriving from West Bengal will undergo medical monitoring for 21 days. A hotline has also been made available to the public: 8924. In the event of symptoms, patients will be transferred to Souillac Hospital for isolation and treatment. The laboratory is staffed and equipped to carry out the necessary tests.
The Ministry of Health also recommends that travelers heading to certain regions of India exercise increased vigilance, particularly by washing their hands regularly and thoroughly cleaning fruits before consumption.
The Nipah virus is primarily transmitted to humans by bats or through contaminated food. The disease is taken very seriously, especially since no vaccine exists to date. According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate ranges from 40% to 75%. Symptoms include high fever, vomiting, and respiratory issues. In severe cases, the disease can lead to seizures and inflammation of the brain, potentially resulting in coma.
The first Nipah outbreak was recorded eight years ago in a pig farm in Malaysia. Subsequently, an outbreak in the Indian state of Kerala resulted in 17 deaths. The virus is classified by WHO among diseases likely to cause a global epidemic, similar to COVID-19.
