O Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus that was first identified in 1999, in Malaysia, during an outbreak of the virus among pig farmers. In this sense, it is transmitted between non-human animals and humans. Bats of the genus Pteropus They can transmit the virus to other animals, such as pigs, and to humans.
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Nipah Virus Summary
- Nipah virus was first identified in 1999 in Malaysia.
- Its natural reservoir is bats of the genus Pteropus, also known as “flying foxes”.
- It can be transmitted through contact with infected animals such as pigs and bats, infected food, or through contact with an infected person.
- Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue and dizziness; in more severe cases, encephalitis may occur.
- To date, there is no vaccine to control Nipah virus.
- Prevention strategies include washing your hands with soap and water and not coming into contact with infected animals.
- The mortality rate for those infected with the Nipah virus varies between 40% and 70%.
- Outbreaks of the virus have already occurred in regions such as Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh and India.
How did the Nipah virus appear?
Nipah virus (NiV) belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae and gender henipavirus. It is genetically related to Hendra virus, another henipavirus that, like Nipah, is found in bats.
The Nipah virus was first identified in 1999, during an outbreak that affected pigs and people in Malaysia and Singapore.
How is Nipah virus transmitted?
Nipah is a zoonotic virus, that is, it is transmitted between non-human animals and humans. Its natural reservoir is bats of the genus Pteropus, also known as “flying foxes”.
You bats of the genus Pteropus can transmit the virus for other animals, such as pigs, and for humans. People can become infected with the virus by coming into contact with infected animals or their body fluids, such as saliva or urine. Once a person is infected with the virus, they can also infect others. Yet another way to become infected with the virus is through infected food.
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Nipah virus symptoms
The Nipah virus affects the respiratory system and the nervous system, generating flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue and dizziness. Furthermore, it can cause breathing difficulties and encephalitis, which consists of inflammation of the brain that can cause symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, drowsiness and even seizures.
Some individuals may also experience pneumonia and other more severe respiratory complications. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, often leading to the death of the infected person.
Nipah virus treatment
To date, there are no vaccines against the Nipah virus. O The only treatment available is to alleviate the symptoms of patients affected by the virus.
Nipah virus prevention
Preventing contamination by the Nipah virus involves adopting some strategies in the regions where outbreaks occurred (Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore and India):
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
- Do not come into contact with infected bats and pigs.
- Avoid areas where bats are present.
- Do not eat or drink foods that may be contaminated by bats' body fluids, such as date palm sap or fruits found on the ground.
- Avoid contact with the body fluids of infected people.
Read too: Diseases that affect both humans and other animals
Nipah virus mortality
The mortality rate of those infected by Nipah varies between 40% and 70%, as there are no treatments or vaccines to combat this virus.
Nipah virus outbreaks
Nipah virus (NiV) was first identified in 1999 during a outbreak that hit pigs and people in Malaysia and Singapore. On that occasion, 300 cases of infected people and more than 100 deaths were recorded, and more than a million pigs were killed as a way to control the spread of the virus.
Nipah virus outbreaks have been recorded every year in some parts of Asia since then, mainly in Bangladesh and India. The most recent outbreak takes place in India, more specifically in the state of Kerala.
Sources
CDC. Nipah virus (NiV). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/index.html>.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Nipah Virus. 30 May. 2018. Available at: <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nipah-virus>.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Nipah virus infection - Bangladesh. 17 Feb. 2023. Available at: <https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON442>.
BBC NEWS BRAZIL. Nipah: what are the chances of a deadly virus reaching Brazil or causing a new pandemic? 15 Sep. 2023. Available at: <https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/c1r5yp1p14lo>.
BBC NEWS BRAZIL. Nipah: how the virus that made India close schools and offices works. 14 Sep. 2023. Available at: <https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/ce7wplxnygeo>.