NIPAH VIRUS

INFECTIOUS DISEASES - NIPAH VIRUS

R. SHYLIN - MDCCC-118

Infectious diseases are the illness caused by pathogenic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. Infections may range from asymptomatic to severe and fatal. Transmission can occur through:

• Direct physical contact
• Parenteral
• Through body fluids
• Contaminated substances
• Animals to humans

NIPAH Virus

NIPAH is an infectious disease caused by NIPAH virus (NiV). It is a paramyxovirus, which has a high mortality rate of 40 % – 75%.

It is a zoonotic infection and was first recognised in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia.  In 2001, outbreaks have occurred in Bangladesh.

INCIDENCE

NiV infection is an emerging vector borne disease which was first recognised in a large outbreak of 276 reported cases in Malaysia and Singapore from September 1998 to May 1999.

In India, outbreaks were reported in 2007.

TRANSMISSION

Fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae are the natural hosts for Nipah virus.

Transmission can occur from infected animals or consumption of fruit products contaminated with body fluids of infected fruit bat.

Human to human transmission 

INCUBATION PERIOD: 4-21 Days

PATHOGENESIS

The exact pathogenic mechanism is still not very clearly documented.

Pathological findings include

• Vasculopathy and necrotizing vasculitis
• Cerebral edema
• Pulmonary edema
• Eosinophilic infiltration
• Thrombosis and parenchymal necrosis

SYMPTOMS

• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Cough
• Breathlessness
• Seizure
• Behaviour change
• Myalgia
• Fatigue

POST NIPAH INFECTION COMPLICATION

Long term complication is seen in some cases in the form of encephalitis, months to years after recovery 

DIAGNOSIS

• RT-PCR Test
• IgM antibodies against NiV identified in serum
• Isolation of NiV from respiratory secretions, urine or CSF.

PRECAUTION

• Avoid infected people
• Wear mask
• Isolation
• Avoid intake of infected fruits

TREATMENT

• No specific treatment.
• Symptomatic and supportive treatment is provided.
• Management of fever, electrolyte imbalance, breathing.
• Antiviral drugs like Ribavirin are used.