The Nipah Virus, a zoonotic disease, has reemerged in Kerala, India, resulting in two fatalities. This incident marks the nation’s first encounter with the virus since 2021 when it was reported in Kozhikode amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. As a virus that transmits from animals to humans, its resurgence is concerning, necessitating a detailed understanding of its origin, transmission, symptoms, and prevention.
About the Nipah Virus
The Nipah Virus is an RNA or Ribonucleic acid virus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus. It bears a close relation to the Hendra virus, another significant member of zoonotic diseases.
It’s noteworthy that the Hendra Virus infection, though rare, emerges as a severe and often fatal disease for infected horses and humans alike. The birthplace of the Nipah Virus can be traced back to Malaysia and Singapore, where it broke out in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Its nomenclature traces back to a village in Malaysia, Sungai Nipah, where it was first identified.
Initially, this virus was detected in domestic pigs, but subsequent researches have found it in various domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, goats, horses, and sheep.
Transmission of the Nipah Virus
The primary culprits in the transmission of the Nipah and Hendra viruses are the fruit bats or ‘flying foxes’ of the genus Pteropus. These creatures serve as natural reservoir hosts of the virus. The virus is capable of being present in bat urine, potentially extending to bat feces, saliva, and birthing fluids.
Symptoms of the Nipah Virus
When infecting humans, the Nipah Virus manifests as an encephalitic syndrome. The symptoms range from fever, headache, drowsiness, and disorientation to mental confusion and potentially coma. These symptoms, if untreated, can potentially result in the death of the individual.
Prevention of the Nipah Virus
As of now, the medical community has not developed any vaccines for the Nipah virus applicable to either humans or animals. This lack of a specialized treatment plan accentuates the preventive measures that need to be in place against the disease. However, individuals infected by the Nipah virus are provided with intensive supportive care.
Understanding the Nipah virus, its origin, transmission, symptoms, and preventive measures is essential. While there is no vaccine available at present, simple practices such as avoiding exposure to sick animals and consuming thoroughly cleaned and cooked food can go a long way in preventing this disease.
