Nipah Virus: What Is It and How to stop It

With toll from Nipah virus rising and fear psychosis gripping people across Kerala and rest of South India, it’s necessary to understand this deadly virus and its spread pattern and symptoms in detail.

Origin of Nipah

This RNA virus was first identified in 1998 at Kampung Sungai Nipah, in Malaysia. At that time, pigs were the intermediate hosts. But, in subsequent NiV outbreaks, there were no intermediate hosts. In 2004 in Bangladesh, humans got this virus by consuming date palm sap that had been contaminated by infected fruit bats. Two outbreaks of Nipah happened prior in India in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007 killing 50.

The matter of concern comes from the fact that no drugs are available in market that can kill this emerging zoonotic virus.

Facts known about Nipah Virus

Nipah Infection will spread from person to person only if there is close contact with body fluids of the infected person
This virus is truly deadly. It can kill between 40 to 100% of those affected
The virus has an incubation period of 4 to 14 days. The trouble point is early symptoms matches with that of with common cold or general viral infection
Symptom includes acute respiratory infection (mild, severe), and fatal encephalitis
In the current outbreak the lungs seems to be more affected. Patients experience severe breathlessness
Encephalitis and seizures occur in only severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours
In the absence of drugs and vaccine, the only option available is to provide support care and if needed provide respiratory support
Nipah virus is on the WHO list of Blueprint priority diseases

Precautionary measures

Precautionary measure includes totally keeping the infected person in isolation
Care givers must use gloves, masks and disposable gears
Since human-to-human transmission through nosocomial (hospital-acquired infection )route have been reported, contact and droplet precautions should be used in addition to standard precautions
To reduce the risk of transmission to people, culling of infected animals is suggested
To prevent bat-to-human transmission fruits should be thoroughly washed and peeled before consumption
Avoid drinking toddy brewed in open containers
Stay away from infection prone area
While handling sick animals gloves and other protective wear should be used