NIPAH VIRUS

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a “zoonotic disease” that spreads out to humans from animals.

WHO has described this virus as a priority pathogen because of its potential to cause pandemics. In infected people, it causes a wide variety of diseases, ranging from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis.

Symptoms

Some symptoms may include-

• Fever
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Vomiting
• Muscle pain

In some persons, the symptoms are-

• Dizziness and/ or drowsiness
• Altered consciousness
• Atypical pneumonia
• Altered cute encephalitis
• Other severe respiratory problems

How does Nipah Virus spread?

It can spread through impure food and contact with an infected person. Experts say habitat loss is causing animals to live closer to humans and this helps the virus spread from animals to humans.

The Kerela state government recently announced that it is preparing an action plan to prevent the Nipah outbreak. Last year, authorities in the state closed schools and offices or working places after five cases were confirmed.

Where has Nipah virus has been found in India?

According to the WHO, the first two outbreaks were reported in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007. In 2018, an outbreak in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in the state of Kerela killed 17 peoples. The virus has been linked to dozens of deaths in the state of Kerela since it was first reported in 2018.

Some parts of Kerela are being said to be the most at risk from this virus globally. An investigation published by Reuters last year found that Kerela, in which  a tropical state witnessing rapid urbanization and rapid tree loss, had created “ideal condition for the emergence of a virus like Nipah”.

Previous outbreaks

Nipah Virus was first identified in 1999 during an outbreaks among the pig farmers in Malaysia. It was also recognized in Bangladesh in 2001, and almost in that country since then. The disease has also been identified from time to time in eastern India. There may be a risk of infection in other areas, as evidence of the virus has been found in known natural reservoirs (Peropus bat species) in several countries including Cambodia, Ghana, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and several other bat species.

Treatment

There is currently no drug or no vaccine for this virus or infection, although WHO identified Nipah as a priority disease for the WHO Research and Development Blueprint. Intensive supportive care is recommended to treat neurological complications.

Controlling infection in health-care setting

Health care workers caring for or handling specimens from patients with suspected or confirmed infection should apply standard infection control precautions at all times.

As human-to-human transmission has been reported, especially in health care settings, contact and droplet precautions should be used in addition to standard precautions. Some circumstances may require airborne precautions.

Reducing the risk of infection in people

In the absence of a vaccine, the only way to reduce or prevent infection among people is to raise awareness about risk factors and educate people about measures they can take to reduce the risk of Nipah Virus.

Public health educational messages should mainly focus on:

• Reducing the risk of bat-to-human transmission
• Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission
• Reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission

Nipah virus in domestic animals

Nipah virus outbreaks in pigs and other domestic animals such as horses, sheep, goats, cats, and dogs were first reported during the initial Malaysian outbreak in 1999. This virus is highly contagious in pigs. Pigs are infectious during the incubation period, which lasts 4 to 14 days.

An infected pig may display no symptoms, but some develop illness such as acute fever, facing difficulty in breathing and neurological symptoms such as shaking, trembling, shaking, and muscle cramps. Generally, morality rates are low except in small pigs. These symptoms do not differ dramatically from other respiratory and neurological diseases of pigs. Nipah virus should be suspected if there is an unusual cough in pigs or if cases of encephalitis are present in humans.

WHO Response

WHO supporting affected at risk countries with technical guidance on how to manage Nipah Virus outbreaks and prevent their occurrence. The risk of international transmission through fruits or fruit products (such as raw date juice) contaminated with the urine or saliva of infected bats can be prevented by washing and peeling them thoroughly before consumption.

You may interested in this: Chandipura Virus