Nipah virus (NiV)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: NDTV
Context: Kerala has launched a serological survey to investigate the recurring outbreaks of Nipah virus (NiV), especially in high-risk zones of northern Kerala, where the virus has reappeared for the eighth time in eight years.
About Nipah virus (NiV):
• What is Nipah Virus?
• Nipah is a zoonotic virus that spreads from animals (mainly bats) to humans. It causes illnesses ranging from mild respiratory issues to fatal encephalitis. The case fatality rate ranges from 40% to 75%, varying by region and healthcare response.
• Nipah is a zoonotic virus that spreads from animals (mainly bats) to humans.
• It causes illnesses ranging from mild respiratory issues to fatal encephalitis.
• The case fatality rate ranges from 40% to 75%, varying by region and healthcare response.
• Past Outbreaks:
• First detected in Malaysia (1999) among pig farmers. Bangladesh reported annual outbreaks since 2001. India has seen outbreaks in West Bengal (Siliguri) and Kerala, where eight episodes have occurred since 2018.
• First detected in Malaysia (1999) among pig farmers.
• Bangladesh reported annual outbreaks since 2001.
• India has seen outbreaks in West Bengal (Siliguri) and Kerala, where eight episodes have occurred since 2018.
• Natural Host & Vector:
• Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family (genus Pteropus) are the natural reservoirs. Infected bats can transmit the virus through saliva, urine, or feces on fruits or nearby surfaces.
• Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family (genus Pteropus) are the natural reservoirs.
• Infected bats can transmit the virus through saliva, urine, or feces on fruits or nearby surfaces.
• Transmission Pathways:
• Animal to Human: Through direct contact with infected pigs or bats. Via contaminated food or fruit juices, e.g., raw date palm sap. Human to Human: Close contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids. Common in healthcare settings, especially among caregivers and hospital workers.
• Animal to Human: Through direct contact with infected pigs or bats. Via contaminated food or fruit juices, e.g., raw date palm sap.
• Through direct contact with infected pigs or bats.
• Via contaminated food or fruit juices, e.g., raw date palm sap.
• Human to Human: Close contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids. Common in healthcare settings, especially among caregivers and hospital workers.
• Close contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids.
• Common in healthcare settings, especially among caregivers and hospital workers.
• Clinical Symptoms:
• Early symptoms: Fever, sore throat, headache, myalgia, vomiting. Severe cases: Encephalitis, seizures, altered consciousness, respiratory distress. Incubation period: Typically, 4–14 days, but can extend up to 45 days. Long-term effects: 20% of survivors may suffer neurological issues such as personality changes or seizures.
• Early symptoms: Fever, sore throat, headache, myalgia, vomiting.
• Severe cases: Encephalitis, seizures, altered consciousness, respiratory distress.
• Incubation period: Typically, 4–14 days, but can extend up to 45 days.
• Long-term effects: 20% of survivors may suffer neurological issues such as personality changes or seizures.
• Diagnosis Methods:
• RT-PCR: Detects virus RNA in bodily fluids. ELISA: Detects NiV-specific antibodies. Virus isolation and PCR assays used in advanced labs.
• RT-PCR: Detects virus RNA in bodily fluids.
• ELISA: Detects NiV-specific antibodies.
• Virus isolation and PCR assays used in advanced labs.
• Kerala’s New Serological Survey: Uses pseudo virus neutralisation assays to detect antibodies.
• Uses pseudo virus neutralisation assays to detect antibodies.
• Targets high-risk populations (humans + domestic animals) near known Nipah hotspots. Aims to understand spillover dynamics, animal reservoirs, and transmission chains.
• Targets high-risk populations (humans + domestic animals) near known Nipah hotspots.
• Aims to understand spillover dynamics, animal reservoirs, and transmission chains.