What Is Nipah Virus?
7. Where Have There Been Recent Outbreaks?
The first known cases were part of a particularly deadly outbreak in Malaysia in 1999. Since this outbreak among pig farmers, no new outbreaks have occurred in Malaysia. Other countries in Asia have experienced their own outbreaks. Bangladesh has experienced periods of infection almost annually since 2001.
Eastern India has experienced some cases of Nipah virus. Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Ghana, Cambodia and Madagascar all have bat populations known to carry the virus but have yet to have a serious outbreak. Because Pteropus bats are believed to be the natural reservoir for Nipah virus, the risk of an outbreak occurring is limited to these areas of Asia and Africa.
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