Nipah Virus
Context: A 42-year-old woman from Valanchery in the district has tested positive for Nipah virus.
Important Pointers:
► Type: Single-stranded, negative-sense, enveloped RNA virus ► Family: Paramyxoviridae | Genus: Henipavirus
► Transmission: Zoonotic virus – transmitted from animals to humans ► Reservoir hosts: Fruit bats (Pteropus species) ► Spread through: • Direct contact with infected bats or pigs • Consumption of fruits contaminated with bat saliva • Human-to-human transmission via body fluids (in healthcare settings)
► Symptoms: Incubation: 5–14 days; Early: Fever, headache, drowsiness; Later: Disorientation, mental confusion, coma; Mortality rate: 40%–75% (very high).
► Confirmatory tests: RT-PCR; ELISA (IgM and IgG); Immunohistochemistry (IHC); Serum Neutralisation Test (SNT).
► Treatment: No specific treatment or vaccine available; Only supportive care (ICU, ventilation) ► Prevention: Avoid contact with bats/pigs; Don't consume fallen fruits; Public awareness & PPE for healthcare workers
► Outbreaks in India: First reported in 2001 (West Bengal); Major outbreak in 2018 (Kerala); Recurrences in 2019, 2021, and 2023 (Kerala)