Russian expert: Nipah virus symptoms resemble respiratory illnesses and often lead to serious complications

Russian expert: Nipah virus symptoms resemble respiratory illnesses and often lead to serious complications

Alexander Gintsburg, the scientific supervisor of the Russian National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, reported that the Nipah virus causes symptoms similar to acute respiratory illnesses and often leads to serious complications.  This came in statements by Gintsburg to the Novosti news agency, where he said: "The symptoms are similar to any virus that is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets, as I understand it, the symptoms of acute respiratory illnesses. In addition, it often leads to complications, yes, as far as I know, complications similar to meningitis." The Russian expert added that any virus that causes a decrease in immunity - and this is a general law in virology - can be followed by a bacterial or pulmonary infection depending on the strength of the immune system of the infected person, and pointed out that the natural carriers of the virus are bats. Gintsburg concluded, "It's also spreading from person to person, as far as I k…