Nipah virus spreads in parts of India

As the Nipah virus continues to spread in parts of India, some mainland scientists have found a drug that could be an inhibitor.

With a fatality rate of 75 percent, there is currently no specific vaccine or medicine against the Nipah virus.

Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have announced that the oral nucleoside drug "V-V116" effectively inhibits the spread of the virus.

Experts believe it could serve as a preventive medicine for medical practitioners and laboratory staff. At the moment, the mainland has yet to report any confirmed cases.

With the Chinese new year approaching, members of the public are advised to avoid nonessential travel to high-risk areas.