Nipah virus infection, which has a fatality rate of 40 to 75 percent in human infections, has been designated as a legal communicable disease. Although the risk of domestic outbreaks is low due to the sporadic nature of Nipah virus infections in Asia and their high fatality rate, the government plans to proactively manage the disease.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on Monday that it has revised and implemented a notice to newly designate Nipah virus infection as a Class 1 notifiable infectious disease.

This is the first instance of a new Class 1 infectious disease being designated since the 2020 revision of the Act on the Prevention and Management of Infectious Diseases and the introduction of the grading system. Following the revision, patients diagnosed with Nipah virus infection and suspected cases will be subject to public health management measures, including reporting, isolation, contact tracing, and epidemiological investigations.

“Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified Nipah virus as one of the candidate pathogens that could cause a future Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), highlighting the importance of proactive responses and the development of vaccines and treatments,” the KDCA said, explaining the background.

Nipah virus infection, first identified after its initial report in a Malaysian pig farm in 1998, is an infectious disease that can affect both humans and animals. Known transmission routes for the Nipah virus include contact with infected animals (such as fruit bats and pigs) or the consumption of contaminated food (including date palm sap). Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact with a patient's bodily fluids.

It occurs sporadically in Asian countries within the range of the fruit bat habitat. Recently, cases have been reported in India and Bangladesh, necessitating caution for those planning to visit Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, India, or Bangladesh.

virus typically has an incubation period of four to 14 days before symptoms appear. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle pain. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, and decreased consciousness may develop, potentially leading to death. The KDCA has established a diagnostic testing system and is prepared to conduct genetic detection tests (RT-PCR) for diagnosis should the virus enter the country.

“The designation of Nipah virus infection as a Class 1 infectious disease is a preemptive measure to prepare for the risk of domestic introduction of infectious diseases occurring overseas,” KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan said. “The importance of responding to emerging infectious diseases has grown significantly through our experience with Covid-19. We will continue to closely monitor the global situation and consistently strengthen our domestic infectious disease management system.”