Introduction :-
Several deaths caused by the outbreak of Nipah virus (NiV) in Kozhikode in Kerala, a statewide alert has been given to remain vigilant. Death toll due to the Nipah virus outbreak has reached to ten. On Sunday, the National Institute of Virology, Pune, confirmed the presence of Nipah virus in three samples that were already sent to the institute.
What is Nipah Virus (NiV) ?
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus (NiV) is a newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans. The Nipah virus, also known as Nipah Virus encephalitis.
- It is new disease which is transmitted to humans from animals.
- As quoted by the WHO, the natural host of the virus are fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus.
- The virus has been listed in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code and must be reported to the OIE (OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code).
Origin of Nipah Virus (NiV) :-
- Nipah Virus (NiV) was first identified in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998-1999, when it caused disease in pigs and humans.
- During the 1998-99 outbreak, the virus affected 265 people and about 40 percent of those patients who were hospitalized with the severe nervous disease died from the infection.
- In 2001, 65 people were affected by Nipah Virus (NiV) in Siliguri, India out of which 45 people lost their lives.
What causes Nipah Virus ?
- The organism which causes Nipah Virus encephalitis is an RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus.
- NiV is closely related to Hendra virus, which is an acute, viral respiratory infection of horses and humans that have been reported in Australia.
How does it Spread ?
- The disease spreads through fruit bats or ‘flying foxes,’ of the genus Pteropus, who are natural reservoir hosts of the Nipah and Hendra viruses. The virus is present in bat urine and potentially, bat faeces, saliva, and birthing fluids.
- Transmission of the virus to humans takes place via direct contact with infected bats, infected pigs, or from other NiV infected people.
- Reports from outbreaks in Bangladesh suggest transmission from bats in the process of drinking raw palm sap contaminated with bat excrement or climbing trees coated in the same.
Signs & Symptoms :-
- Nipah Virus is usually associated with inflammation of the brain due to which severe days of fever can often lead to a state of confusion, disorientation and even persistent drowsiness.
- If not taken care of, these symptoms can even cause a coma in a span of 24-48 hours.
- There are many patients who show neurological, respiratory and pulmonary signs as well.
- Some common signs and symptoms of NiV are Headache, Fever, Nausea, Dizziness, Drowsiness and mental issues such as confusion.
How is Nipah virus treated? Is there a cure for NiV ?
- In humans, the primary treatment for Nipah virus is intensive supportive care.
- The drug ribavirin has been shown to be effective against the viruses in vitro. However, the clinical efficacy of ribavirin remains inconclusive to date in human trials.
- Unfortunately, there is no specific NiV treatment or a vaccine for either humans or animals.
Preventive Methods :-
- Since drinking raw date palm sap bitten by a bat can also cause NiV, it is safe to say that you should stay from consuming date palm for some time.
- Avoiding direct contact with infected pigs, bats and humans in endemic regions should be practiced.
- Hospitals also need to raise awareness about symptoms and transmission to avoid human-to-human infections in such settings
- Health professionals attending to such patients should take precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and gloves.
Infographics :-
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