An outbreak of the Nipah virus in India is being closely monitored by Jersey’s health authorities.
The World Health Organization has described Nipah, external as one of its top 10 priority diseases because of its potential to trigger an epidemic. It can spread from animals to humans and is associated with a high mortality rate as there is no vaccine for it.
Jersey’s health authorities have urged travellers who develop symptoms overseas to seek immediate medical advice.
Prof Peter Bradley, Jersey’s director of public health, said the government was aware of the small number of confirmed cases in West Bengal but added there was “no evidence of transmission outside of India”.