Nipah Virus

Nipah Virus

News: Recently, Nipah virus infection has re-emerged in Kerala.

What is Nipah Virus?
• Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It was first identified in Malaysia in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers and subsequently caused several outbreaks in Southeast Asia.
• Nipah virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, which also includes other viruses like measles and mumps.

Key Points:
• Natural Reservoir - Fruit bats (specifically, several species of Pteropus fruit bats) are believed to be the natural reservoir of Nipah virus. These bats can carry the virus without showing symptoms.
• Transmission - Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals, primarily through the consumption of contaminated food or drinks, particularly raw date palm sap that has been contaminated with bat saliva or urine. Human-to-human transmission can also occur through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.
• Symptoms - Nipah virus infection can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation, respiratory issues, and encephalitis.
• Prevention - There is no specific treatment for Nipah virus, and vaccines are still under development.