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Nipah Virus: AN Emerging Threat
Nipah Virus: AN Emerging Threat
AN
EMERGING THREAT
presented by,
Meenakshi.J
What is NIPAH virus ?
◦ Nipah Virus Infection (NiV) is a viral zoonosis caused by Nipah virus of the
genus Henipavirus in both animals and humans.It was first identified in fruit bats of
the Pteropodidae family, which are also the natural hosts of the virus.Out of an estimated 582
human cases of Nipah virus, 54 percent were fatal.
First identification of NIPAH virus :
◦Nipah virus first appeared in Malaysia in 1998 in peninsular Malaysia in
pigs and pig farmers. By mid-1999, more than 265 human cases of
encephalitis, including 105 deaths, had been reported in Malaysia, and
11 cases of either encephalitis or respiratory illness with one fatality
were reported in Singapore. In 2001, Nipah virus was reported
from Meherpur district, Bangladesh and Siliguri, India. The outbreak
again appeared in 2003, 2004 and 2005 in Naogaon District, Manikgani
District, Rajbari District, Faridpur District and Tangail District
Causes for NIPAH virus:
◦ Fruit bats are natural hosts of the Nipah Virus, although humans can also
get the virus from infected pigs, and other human patients. The Nipah Virus
is transmitted from animals to humans, and from infected patients to other
people, through contact with bodily fluids and blood. Fruit bats are natural
hosts of the NiV virus, although infected pigs can also pass on the virus to
humans. Investigations by authorities from the Manipal Centre of Virus
Research found the presence of bats in the open well in the house of the
family of the three deceased, reported the Times of India.
Signs & Sympotoms of NIPAH:
◦ The symptoms start to appear within 3–14 days after exposure. Initial symptoms are
fever, headache, drowsiness followed by disorientation and mental confusion. These
symptoms can progress into coma as fast as in 24–48 hours. Encephalitis is the
dreaded complication of nipah virus infection. Respiratory illness can also be present
during the early part of the illness.[2] Nipah-case patients who had breathing difficulty
are more likely than those without respiratory illness to transmit the virus.[4] The
disease is suspected in symptomatic individuals in the context of an epidemic
outbreak.
Diagnosis for NIPAH virus:
◦ Laboratory diagnosis of Nipah virus infection is made using real time polymerase
chain reaction (RT-PCR) from throat swabs, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and blood
analysis during acute and convalescent stages of the disease. IgG and IgM antibody
detection can be done after recovery to confirm Nipah virus
infection. Immunohistochemistry on tissues collected during autopsy also confirms the
disease. Viral RNA can be isolated from the saliva of infected persons
Treatment for NIPAH virus:
◦ Currently there is no effective treatment for Nipah virus infection. The treatment is limited to
supportive care. It is important to practice standard infection control practices and proper barrier
nursing techniques to avoid the transmission of the infection from person to person. All
suspected cases of Nipah virus infection should be isolated and given intensive supportive care.
Ribavirin has been shown effective in in vitro tests, but has not yet been proven effective in
humans. Passive immunization using a human monoclonal antibody that targets the Nipah G
glycoprotein has been evaluated in the ferret model as post-exposure prophylaxis.The anti-
malarial drug chloroquine was shown to block the critical functions needed for maturation of
Nipah virus, although no clinical benefit has yet been observed. m102.4, a human monoclonal
antibody, has been used in people on a compassionate use basis in Australia and is presently in
pre-clinical development.
Risk of exposure
◦ The risk of exposure is high for hospital workers and caretakers of those infected with the virus.
In Malaysia and Singapore, Nipah virus infection occurred in those with close contact to infected
pigs. In Bangladesh and India, the disease has been linked to consumption of raw date palm
sap (toddy) and contact with bats.
Prevention from NIPHA virus:
◦ Prevention of Nipah virus infection is important since there is no effective treatment for the
disease. The infection can be prevented by avoiding exposure to bats in endemic areas and
sick pigs. Drinking of raw palm sap (palm toddy) contaminated by bat excrete, eating of fruits
partially consumed by bats and using water from wells infested by bats should be avoided. Bats
are known to drink toddy that is collected in open containers, and occasionally urinate in it,
which makes it contaminated with the virus. Surveillance and awareness are important for
preventing future outbreaks. The association of this disease within reproductive cycle of bats is
not well studied. Standard infection control practices should be enforced to prevent nosocomial
infections. A subunit vaccine using the Hendra G protein was found to produce cross-protective
antibodies against henipavirus and nipavirus has been used in monkeys to protect against
Hendra virus, although its potential for use in humans has not been studied.
◦ THANK YOU
◦ FOR
WATCHING PATIENTLY