Azerbaijan.US
Azerbaijan has not recorded any cases of the Nipah virus, the Ministry of Health said, amid reports of infections and deaths linked to the virus in parts of South and Southeast Asia, particularly India and Bangladesh.
According to health authorities, Nipah virus is not considered endemic to Azerbaijan, and the current epidemiological situation poses no real threat to the population. The risk of domestic transmission is assessed as low, with potential cases possible only through importation from abroad.
Officials noted that widespread transmission is unlikely, as the virus does not spread easily from person to person. The situation is being continuously monitored, and sanitary and epidemiological controls have been strengthened at border crossing points.
If suspected cases are identified, diagnostic testing can be carried out at biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories operated by the Center for the Control of Particularly Dangerous Infections. Azerbaijani health authorities are also closely monitoring updates from the World Health Organization and other international bodies.
Infectious disease specialists describe Nipah as a rare but highly dangerous virus, with fatality rates in severe cases reported to reach up to 70 percent. The virus can cause acute respiratory illness, neurological complications, and encephalitis. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, and care remains largely supportive, with patients isolated to prevent potential spread.
Health officials recommend standard preventive measures, including avoiding unwashed fruit that may have been contaminated by bats, refraining from consuming unpasteurized juices, using personal protective equipment when in contact with sick individuals, and maintaining basic hygiene practices.
At this stage, no additional restrictions are planned. Travelers returning from endemic regions are advised to monitor their health and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms develop. Authorities stress that the situation remains under control and that there is no cause for public alarm.
