Key points about Nipah virus:
Emerging Zoonotic Virus:
NiV is considered an emerging zoonotic virus, meaning it is a virus that has jumped from animals to humans.
Reservoir Host:
Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural reservoir hosts for the virus.
Transmission:
Animal to human: Direct contact with infected animals (bats, pigs, horses) or their body fluids, and consumption of contaminated food products like raw palm sap.
Human to human: Close contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids (saliva, respiratory droplets, urine, blood).
Symptoms:
NiV infection can range from asymptomatic or mild to severe, with symptoms including fever, headache, respiratory illness, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
High Case Fatality Rate:
The case fatality rate is estimated between 40-75% or higher, making it a serious public health concern.
No Specific Treatment or Vaccine:
Currently, there are no specific antiviral treatments or vaccines available for NiV infection.
Outbreaks:
Nipah virus outbreaks have been reported in several countries in Asia, including Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, and Singapore.
WHO Priority Disease:
NiV is listed as a priority disease on the World Health Organization (WHO) R&D Blueprint due to its epidemic and pandemic potential.
One Health Approach:
Due to the complex transmission pathways, a One Health approach (which considers human, animal, and environmental health) is necessary for effective prevention and control of NiV infection.