Nipah Virus Outbreak, Symptoms, Treatment, Latest News

Nipah Virus Latest News

The Nipah Virus Outbreak in West Bengal, India, has raised alarm across many Asian countries, as the virus can have a fatality rate of 40% to 75% in humans. Neighboring countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, and Nepal has enhanced border screening and testing for travelers coming from affected countries.

About Nipah Virus

• Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people.
  • Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural hosts of Nipah virus.
• In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis.
• The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers. 
• So far, NiV outbreaks have only been described in Asia.
  • The first reported outbreak occurred in 1998–1999 and involved pig farmers in the village of Sungai Nipah (Malaysia).
  • Since then, sporadic outbreaks have been documented in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, and Singapore.
  • NiV infection is one of the priority diseases on the World Health Organization (WHO) R&D Blueprint because of its epidemic or pandemic potential.

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Nipah Virus Symptoms

• Infected people initially develop symptoms including fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat.
• This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis.
• Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress.
• Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.
• The incubation period is believed to range from 4 to 14 days.
• The virus is considered highly fatal, with fatality rates in past outbreaks ranging from approximately 40% to 75%, depending on surveillance and care.

Nipah Virus Treatment

• There are no specifically approved treatments or vaccines available for NiV infection, either for people or animals.  
• Intensive supportive care is recommended to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications.

 Source: NDTV