CaliToday (09/9/2025): In a significant preemptive public health measure, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has officially classified the Nipah virus as a "Class 1" infectious disease, placing it in the country's highest-risk category alongside pathogens like Ebola, MERS, and SARS.
The decision, which took effect this week, reflects the serious threat posed by the virus, which is known for its high fatality rate and pandemic potential. While there have been no reported cases of Nipah virus in South Korea to date, the KDCA stated the move is a proactive step to strengthen the nation's defenses against the potential importation of dangerous overseas infectious diseases.
This is the first time a new disease has been added to the top-tier classification since COVID-19 was designated as such in January 2020.
Under South Korean law, Class 1 infectious diseases are those with a high risk of mass outbreak, a high fatality rate, and require an immediate, robust public health response. The new classification mandates that any suspected or confirmed case of Nipah virus must be reported to health authorities without delay. Patients will be subject to high-level isolation protocols, such as treatment in negative-pressure rooms, and rigorous epidemiological investigations, including extensive contact tracing, will be launched immediately.
Understanding the Threat of Nipah Virus
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Its natural hosts are fruit bats of the Pteropus genus. Transmission to humans can occur through:
Direct contact with infected animals, such as bats or pigs.
Consumption of food products, like raw date palm sap, contaminated with the bodily fluids of infected bats.
Close contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, making human-to-human transmission a serious concern during outbreaks.
The disease is characterized by a high case fatality rate, estimated to be between 40% and 75%, which can vary depending on the outbreak and the quality of available medical care. Symptoms can range from fever, headache, and muscle pain to severe respiratory distress and fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). A crucial challenge in managing Nipah is that there is currently no specific vaccine or therapeutic treatment available.
Outbreaks of Nipah virus have been primarily concentrated in South and Southeast Asia, with notable occurrences in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, and India.
"This is a proactive measure to prepare for the risk of the domestic influx of overseas infectious diseases," said KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan. "We will continue to strengthen the domestic infectious disease management system to ensure public health and safety."
The KDCA has also enhanced its diagnostic capabilities, establishing a real-time RT-PCR testing system within high-security biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories to swiftly detect any potential cases. Health authorities are urging increased vigilance, advising medical professionals to be aware of the symptoms and to inquire about the travel history of patients presenting with relevant signs of infection.
