NIPAH VIRUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci & Tech - Diseases)

Context: Recently, the Kerala Health Department issued an alert in the Kozhikode district after two deaths were suspected to be due to the Nipah Virus.

Nipah Virus (NIV)

• About: It is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
• Responsible for Nipah Virus encephalitis: RNA virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, Henipavirus genus, and is closely related to the Hendra virus.
• Initial occurrence of the outbreak: Malaysia (1998) and Singapore (1999).
• The estimated case fatality rate for the Nipah Virus ranges from 40% to 75%, which can vary depending on the outbreak's local epidemiological surveillance and clinical management capabilities.
• Spread: The virus can be transmitted to humans either through contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated food, or through direct person-to-person transmission. 
• Carrier: Fruit bats are recognized as the natural reservoir of the virus.
• Symptoms: Acute encephalitis and respiratory illnesses
• Prevention: Currently, there are no vaccines for both humans and animals.