Everything you need to know about the Nipah virus

What is the Nipah virus (NiV)?

Nipah is a highly infectious pathogen that poses significant public health risks, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh. The viral infection has the potential to be a pandemic due to its animal-to-human and human-to-human transmissibility. This is an RNA virus (RNA genome surrounded by lipid envelopes) and like other members of this family, it causes respiratory and neurological infections.

Nipah was first reported in Malaysia back in 1998 amongst pig farmers, which spread and resulted in the death of over 100 people as well as the killing of over a million pigs. Before the first month of 2024 was over, Bangladesh recorded two cases and two deaths of the bat-borne Nipah virus. In the year 2023, the country saw 10 deaths, the highest fatality toll in the past seven years.

Why does the viral infection rate increase in Bangladesh during the winter?

Nipah spreads mainly through fruit bats (known as flying foxes) but can also spread through other animals like goats, horses, dogs, or cats. When domestic animals consume bat-contaminated food, the virus can be transferred to them, serving as intermediate hosts and promoting subsequent transmission to humans.

In Bangladesh, raw date juice is highly popular during the winter season. As the sap collector positions the earthen pot in the date palm tree without any cover, the fruit bat becomes attracted by the aroma of the juice. While sucking the juice, bats can contaminate the raw juice with their saliva and urine and transfer the virus. When people drink this contaminated raw juice, Nipah can be transmitted from bats to humans leading to an outbreak.

Why is Nipah considered so dangerous?

Symptoms of the Nipah virus usually appear within four to 14 days after infection, although there have been reports of an extended incubation period lasting up to 45 days. Nipah may manifest a high-to-moderate fever with an unbearable headache. Infected persons can also experience nausea and shortness of breath.

The infection can result in encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, potentially leading a patient to coma or even death. The fatality rate of the Nipah virus ranges from 40 to 100%, depending on the severity of the infection and the effectiveness of the treatment. Nipah cases have been identified in Southeast Asian regions, with the highest number of cases in Bangladesh (a total of 335 confirmed cases, resulting in 235 deaths up to 2023) with a fatality rate of 65%.

According to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), the virus has been detected in 34 districts in the country. The high mortality rate is what makes this virus dangerous.

Is the Nipah virus airborne?

The question is still unclear. Similar to other respiratory viruses like Covid-19 Nipah can spread through respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. According to WHO, airborne precautions are recommended as a safety measure.

Precautions

Government and non-government organizations, scientists, and medical practitioners are working continuously to significantly enhance public awareness regarding Nipah in Bangladesh during the winter season, coinciding with the date palm juice harvest. As a result of these initiatives, numerous sap collectors in Bangladesh are safeguarding the collection containers with bamboo skirts to avert contamination from bats. Essential measures that must be adhered to avert Nipah virus transmission are:
● Exercise caution while consuming date juice: Refrain from drinking open date juice. Boiling or pasteurizing the juice before drinking can kill any viruses that may be present, making it safe to drink.
● Avoid interacting with animals: Maintain a safe distance from bats and sick domestic animals as they may transmit the virus.
● Avoid contact with an infected person: Direct contact with an infected individual is inadvisable, as Nipah may be transmitted between humans through coughs or sneezes.
● Hand hygiene and personal cleanliness: Consistently wash hands upon returning indoors and strive to maintain cleanliness.
● Prompt diagnosis and intervention: Seek medical help immediately upon exhibiting symptoms of Nipah.
● Awareness campaign in schools: Raw date juice is a common winter drink among school-aged children; therefore, an awareness-raising effort can help to prevent Nipah significantly.

What is the possible therapeutic approach for the Nipah virus?

There are no antivirals available for the treatment of the infection. Symptoms management is crucial, and this may comprise:
● Consuming sufficient water to prevent dehydration
● Ensuring enough rest to support immune systems and recovery
● Administering paracetamol or ibuprofen
● Using an anti-vomiting drug to manage nausea or vomiting
● Providing inhalers or nebulizers to address respiratory problems
● Administering anticonvulsant drugs, in case of convulsion

It's essential to approach these treatments under the guidance of a healthcare provider and always adhere to a physician’s instructions before taking any medications.

How far is the NiV vaccine?

There has been a significant advancement in the development of the Nipah virus vaccine, even though the approved vaccine is not available yet. Several promising candidates are being tested on animals, however, there are major difficulties in bringing these achievements to human applications.

The University of Oxford initiated its first-in-human trial in early 2024. This initial phase involves 51 (aged 18 to 55) healthy people to assess the vaccine's safety and immune response, which is funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). However, a wide range of clinical trials are required in areas impacted by Nipah outbreaks, contingent upon the safety and efficacy demonstrated in the initial phase.

It may take several years to make the Nipah vaccine available worldwide. Obtaining approval from regulatory authorities and ensuring the safety and efficacy of a diverse population is a demanding and protracted process. However, vaccine development is crucial due to higher mortality from the virus and the potential future outbreaks in affected regions.

Website: International Conference on Infectious Diseases


#InfectiousDiseases, #ICID2024, or relevant year, #GlobalHealth, #DiseasePrevention, #InfectiousDiseaseConference, #PublicHealth, #Epidemiology, #DiseaseControl, #HealthInnovation, #VaccinationMatters, #PandemicPreparedness, #PathogenResearch, #OneHealth, #InfectionPrevention, #GlobalDiseaseOutbreak, #ViralResearch, #EmergingInfectiousDiseases, #HealthSecurity, #MedicalConference, #ICIDSummit

Visit Our Website : infectious-diseases-conferences.pencis.com
Nomination Link : infectious-diseases-conferences.pencis.com/award-nomination
Registration Link : infectious-diseases-conferences.pencis.com/award-registration
Member Link : infectious-diseases-conferences.pencis.com/conference-membership
Awards-Winners : infectious-diseases-conferences.pencis.com/awards-winners/
Contact us : infectious@pencis.com

Get Connected Here:
==================
Social Media Link

Twitter : twitter.com/skyla00827177
Blog : infectious2021.blogspot.com
Instagram : www.instagram.com/infectious_diseases2021
Facebook : www.facebook.com/pencis.queen
YouTube : www.youtube.com/channel
LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/infectious-diseases-conferences
Wikipedia : infectiousdiseases625904580.wordpress.com