Basic Facts:
Nipah Virus Infection is a zoonotic or bat-borne infection caused by Nipah Virus, an infection transmitted from animals to humans. Fruit bats are the carrier of Nipah Virus.
Nipah Virus belongs to genus Henipavirus. Outbreaks of Nipah virus infection occurred in south and southeast Asia.
Nipah word is taken from Malaysian village where it was first discovered.
Transmission:
Nipah Virus Infection can transmitted by:
· Direct contact with infected animals or their body fluids (like blood, urine, saliva)
· Consuming food products that might be contaminated by body fluids of infected animals.
· Close contact with an infected person or their body fluids.
First Case In India:
In 2018 first case was reported from Kozhikode, district of Kerala in India.
But this was not the first outbreak the earlier being in 2001 and 2007, both in West Bengal.
Symptoms:
Initially symptoms are like:
· Fever
· Headache
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Difficulty breathing
· Vomiting
In severe cases symptoms are like:
· Disorientation, drowsiness or confusion
· Seizures
· Coma
· Brain swelling
Preventions:
There is no vaccine available for Nipah Virus Infection yet, only cure is to follow precautionary rules:
· Practice handwashing
· Avoid contact with infected fruit bats
· Avoid consumption of raw fruits bitten by bats
· Avoid direct and close contact with infected person.
References:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/nipah-virus-infection?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd__qrndigo8zsOfyW_7JKIj8zqCAb2qK7bWo7NfOMv2MI-1629453914-0-gqNtZGzNAuWjcnBszQoR#tab=tab_1
https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/transmission/index.html
https://www.who.int/southeastasia/outbreaks-and-emergencies/health-emergency-information-risk-assessment/surveillance-and-risk-assessment/nipah-virus-outbreak-in-kerala?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd_T9UEia9KVqWWYs7uYrrP5BK6dBO.KrQ_ZcP9mIHsXRo-1629458676-0-gqNtZGzNA3ujcnBszQnl