| Management of Nipah • There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for Nipah virus infection. • Management of the disease focuses on supportive care and symptom relief. • Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has shown limited efficacy in some cases, but more studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness against Nipah virus. • The World Health Organization (WHO) continue to monitor and support research efforts. |
- A 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district, Kerala, succumbed to the Nipah virus.
- The National Institute of Virology in Pune confirmed the Nipah virus infection.
- Doctors had administered monoclonal antibodies procured from Australia by the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Nipah Virus:
- Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans.
- The primary hosts are fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae, particularly species belonging to the genus Pteropus.
Symptoms:
- Nipah virus infection can present a range of symptoms, typically 5 to 14 days after exposure. The initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain (myalgia), sore throat, and vomiting.
- As the disease progresses, severe symptoms may develop: dizziness, altered consciousness, acute encephalitis (brain inflammation), respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, severe respiratory distress)
- In some cases, patients can experience long-term neurological conditions and relapses.
Causes and Transmission:
- The causes and transmission modes include Direct contact with infected bats or their bodily fluids (such as urine or saliva).
- Consumption of fruits or fruit products contaminated with bat excreta.
- Direct contact with infected pigs or their bodily fluids.
- Human-to-human transmission through close contact with infected individuals or their secretions, especially in healthcare settings.
- The virus can be shed in respiratory secretions, urine, and other bodily fluids, making it highly contagious in close-contact situations.
Dig Deeper: Why bats are the host of many viruses?
