Nipah virus: Outbreak and overview

Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen that are transmitted from animals to humans. These are usually occurred by pteropid bats and microbats of several species. This spread directly when in close contact with humans to humans or with the contact in the human secretion or excretion.

Sometimes the infection can spread to humans without any symptoms however when the case is severe it may show through an influenza such as fever, sore throat, myalgia and vomiting. As the severity of the disease increase this may progress to the breathing problem, respiratory infection, fatal encephalitis which may cause inflammation in the tissue. Altered consciousness, dizziness, drowsiness are the other symptoms identified. In some extreme cases seizures and encephalitis occur.

This infection could be diagnosed only by laboratory testing of throat and nasal swabs, blood test, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, virus isolation and detection, urine test.

This virus and its effects could be avoided by some of the basic practices such as being in close or unprotected contact with the infected people. Keeping the environment hygiene and washing hand with soap. Should not consume partly eaten fruit or unpasteurised fruit juices.

At present there is no vaccine or drug available for the eradication of this virus for both humans and animals. Intensive supportive care is given as the primary treatment for the disease by focusing on the management of fever and neurological symptoms if any. Even after full recovery people are expected to survive an acute encephalitis. The victims can also show long term neurological conditions like seizure disorder.