Nipah virus: Uzbekistan imposes import restrictions from India

Uzbekistan has imposed temporary restrictions on imports from India in response to growing concerns over the Nipah virus. 

The measures, effective from 29 January, target live animals and poultry nationwide, and suspend the import of all products under veterinary control from the Indian state of West Bengal.

The Chief State Veterinary Inspector has adopted the measure as a preventive step to block the introduction of the Nipah virus into the country.

According to Caliber.Az, citing local media, the ban on importing live animals and poultry applies to all of India. It is specifically noted that imports of all products under veterinary control from West Bengal have been temporarily restricted.

The decision is based on the worsening epidemiological situation regarding the Nipah virus in West Bengal. The report notes that this conclusion is drawn from data provided by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and from open sources.

Nipah is a zoonotic infection and can be transmitted to humans from animals, through contaminated food products, or through close human-to-human contact. WHO representative in Geneva, Tarik Jasarevic, previously noted that the risk of new cases remains, as the source of infection has not been fully identified and the virus has a natural reservoir in bat populations.

By Vugar Khalilov