Recently, the southern Indian state of Kerala has reported a Nipah virus outbreak for the second year in a row. This contagious virus, known as Nipah virus (NiV), is classified as a zoonotic virus, implying that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. While the disease can spread in several ways including contaminated food, human-to-human transmission is also possible. The fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family and Pteropus genus, predominantly found in South and South East Asia, are identified as the natural carriers of this virus.
Nipah Virus: A Deadly Disease
The World Health Organization (WHO) has shared alarming statistics regarding the Nipah virus. It has been observed that 40% to 75% of the infected patients could not survive the infection. As of now, no cure or vaccine exists either for humans or for animals. The infection severity and lack of medical interventions underscore the criticality of this public health concern.
Historical Emergence of the Nipah Virus
The Nipah virus was first identified in 1999 during an epidemic among pig farmers in Malaysia. It made its first appearance in India in 2001 in Siliguri, stirring up widespread panic.
Adding to the concern was another outbreak that happened in Nadia, West Bengal in 2007. These successive outbreaks have continuously highlighted the need for extensive research and medical breakthroughs to control and treat this deadly disease.
Transmission: From Animals to Humans
The primary source of NiV is believed to be fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family and Pteropus genus, which are abundant in South and South East Asia. The transmission usually occurs when humans consume fruits or fruit products such as raw date palm sap contaminated by infected fruit bats. However, the virus can also spread to humans from other NiV infected animals.
Human-to-Human Transmission
Nipah virus can also be transmitted from an infected person to others through close contact, particularly in a family and care settings. This mechanism of disease propagation has resulted in secondary cases and even triggered outbreaks in the past.
| Year | Location | Reported Cases |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Malaysia | More than 265 reported cases |
| 2001 | Siliguri, India | 66 reported cases |
| 2007 | Nadia, West Bengal, India | 5 confirmed cases |
| 2018-2019 | Kerala, India | 19 reported cases in 2018, ongoing in 2019 |
No Cure and Vaccine: A Public Health Concern
As per the World Health Organization, there is currently no drug or vaccine available for either people or animals. This lack of specific treatment and vaccination not just escalates the challenge of dealing with this deadly virus but also signifies the urgency of further medical research and development in this field.