If it passes easily from human to human, we are in for a big problem

A 14-year-old boy has died of the Nipah virus in southwest India. Indian authorities are taking measures to prevent an outbreak of this so-called "horror virus".

About 100 people who came into contact with the boy have been placed in isolation. People in the Indian state of Kerala are advised to wear mouth masks in public places and avoid contact with vulnerable people.

The 'horror virus' occurs in bats but is transmissible to humans. The virus can also be transmitted via pigs. Those who get infected are at high risk of death as there is no vaccine against the virus.

The virus is found in countries such as India, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh. The virus, with pandemic characteristics, is being closely monitored by virologists around the world.

"Lately, we have been seeing people coughing more when they have Nipah. That could indicate that human-to-human transmission is possible. If Nipah can be easily transmitted from human to human, we are in for a big problem. Right now that is not the case, but that could change. That is why we are taking this so seriously," explains the Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst in Het Nieuwsblad.

(SR and PP for Tagtik/Source: HLN - Nieuwsblad/Illustration picture: Matteo Jorgoson for Unsplash)