Nipah Virus: Causes, Symptoms, Transmission and Prevention

 

Nipah virus (NiV) which is very mùch in the news in India ,  is a rare but extremely dangerous viral infection that affects both humans and animals. It is classified as a zoonotic virus, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. The virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, which also includes viruses like measles and mumps. Nipah was first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998–1999 and has since caused several outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh.

The natural reservoir of the Nipah virus is fruit bats, especially species of the Pteropus genus, commonly known as flying foxes. These bats do not show symptoms of illness but carry the virus in their saliva, urine, and feces. The virus can contaminate food or surfaces through these secretions, creating a pathway for transmission to other animals and humans.

Nipah virus spreads to humans mainly in three ways. The first is direct transmission from bats to humans, which occurs when people consume fruits that have been partially eaten by bats or drink raw date palm sap contaminated with bat saliva or urine. The second route is transmission from infected animals to humans, especially pigs and other domestic animals that may have been exposed to bat secretions. Humans become infected by handling sick animals or coming into contact with their bodily fluids. The third and most dangerous route is human-to-human transmission, which occurs through close physical contact, respiratory droplets, or exposure to body fluids such as saliva, blood, or urine. This type of spread is common in households and hospitals, making healthcare workers and caregivers particularly vulnerable.

The symptoms of Nipah virus usually appear between four and fourteen days after infection. In the early stage, patients experience fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and vomiting. As the disease progresses, it can lead to severe neurological symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, seizures, and inflammation of the brain known as encephalitis. In many cases, patients may fall into a coma. The fatality rate of Nipah virus is very high, ranging from 40 percent to 75 percent. Even among survivors, long-term complications such as memory loss, personality changes, and other neurological problems are common.

Nipah virus is considered extremely dangerous because there is currently no specific cure or licensed vaccine available for public use. The virus spreads easily through close contact, affects the central nervous system, and has a high mortality rate. For these reasons, the World Health Organization has listed Nipah as one of the priority pathogens with pandemic potential.

Diagnosis of Nipah virus is done through specialized laboratory tests such as RT-PCR and antibody detection tests like ELISA, using samples from blood, throat swabs, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. Brain imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans may also be used to detect inflammation in the brain. These tests are conducted only in high-level biosecurity laboratories due to the dangerous nature of the virus.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Nipah virus, so medical care focuses entirely on supportive treatment. Patients are usually admitted to intensive care units where doctors manage symptoms such as fever, seizures, and breathing difficulties. Ventilator support, intravenous fluids, and treatment for secondary infections are often required. Early detection and timely hospitalization significantly improve the chances of survival.

Prevention is currently the most effective way to counter Nipah virus. People are advised to avoid consuming raw date palm sap and to wash and peel fruits before eating them. Fallen fruits or fruits that may have been exposed to bats should not be consumed. Contact with sick animals should be avoided, and protective gloves should be used when handling animals. During outbreaks, people should avoid close physical contact with infected individuals and maintain strict hand hygiene and mask use.

At the community and public health level, controlling Nipah outbreaks involves isolating infected patients, tracing and monitoring their contacts, and ensuring strict infection control practices in hospitals. Healthcare workers must use personal protective equipment, and infected areas are often subjected to disinfection protocols. In some cases, authorities may restrict movement, ban the sale of raw palm sap, and cull infected animals to prevent further spread.

In India, Nipah virus outbreaks have been reported mainly in Kerala and West Bengal. These outbreaks have often been linked to fruit bats and human-to-human transmission in healthcare settings. Kerala, in particular, has managed to control recent outbreaks effectively through rapid surveillance, early isolation of cases, strong public awareness, and coordinated public health responses.

In summary, Nipah virus is a highly lethal infection transmitted mainly from fruit bats and through close human contact. It attacks the brain, spreads rapidly in close settings, and has no specific cure or vaccine. Until effective vaccines are developed, prevention through awareness, hygiene, food safety, and early medical intervention remains the strongest defense against this deadly virus.