About Nipah Virus
Nipah Virus is a zoonotic RNA virus from the Paramyxoviridae family, genus Henipavirus.
It is closely related to Hendra virus (HeV).
Nipah Virus causes encephalitis and first emerged in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998-1999.
Transmission: The virus was initially detected in the village of Sungai Nipah, Malaysia.
The disease spreads through fruit bats or ‘flying foxes’ of
the genus Pteropus, which are natural reservoir hosts for It was first observed in domestic pigs and has since affected various domestic animals
Nipah and Hendra viruses. including dogs, cats, goats, horses, and sheep.
The virus is found in bat urine, and potentially in bat feces,
Origin of Nipah Virus
saliva, and birthing fluids.
Nipah virus was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak
among pig farmers in Malaysia.
Symptoms:
Nipah Virus
It was also recognized in Bangladesh in 2001, with nearly annual
outbreaks occurring since.
Human infection leads to encephalitic syndrome
with symptoms including fever, headache, Nipah virus has been confirmed again in Kerala. Recent outbreaks have been reported in India, particularly in
drowsiness, disorientation, mental confusion,
Kerala, claiming nearly 20 lives in the last five years.
coma, and possibly death.
The virus has been detected in Cambodia, Ghana, and Thailand.
In India, the first outbreak occurred in Siliguri, West Bengal, in
Prevention: 2001.
There are no vaccines available for humans or animals. The World Health Organisation lists Nipah virus as one of the
most likely viruses to cause the next pandemic.
Intensive supportive care is provided to infected individuals.
Structure of Nipah Virus
Nipah virus (NiV) is a single-stranded, enclosed, negative-sense RNA virus.
It belongs to the Henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family.
The structure of NiV is characterized by several key components that facilitate
its infection process.
