The World Health Organization reported two cases of a rare virus in an eastern Indian state on Thursday.

This Nipah outbreak in India is worrying because theres currently no prevention and no treatment available, and its a severe disease.

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The federal government is closely monitoring an outbreak of Nipah virus in India but has not received any advice to tighten border controls at this stage.

The advisory describes Nipah virus as a deadly zoonotic disease that can spread to humans. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, cough, body aches, and vomiting. Medical experts warn that the virus can lead to severe respiratory illness and encephalitis (brain inflammation).

Four top virologists provide a run down on the Nipah virus emerging from India - including how deadly it is and how likely it is to spread