Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that causes severe disease in humans and animals, first identified in Malaysia during a 1998-1999 outbreak. Recent outbreaks in Kerala, India, have led to multiple fatalities, with transmission occurring through contaminated date palm sap or close contact with infected individuals. There is currently no specific treatment for NiV, and prevention focuses on supportive care and hygiene measures.

1. By
Arman Firoz
PhD Scholar
VIT University
1

2.  Human Nipah Virus(NiV) infection is an emerging zoonotic disease which
causes severe disease in both humans and animals.
 Nipah virus (NiV) is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus
Henipavirus, which is closely related to Hendravirus.
 It was first recognized in Malaysia and Singapore during an outbreak from
September 1998 through May 1999.
 Its name originated from kampung Sungai Nipah, a village in the Malaysian
Peninsula where pig farmers became ill with encephalitis.
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3. STRUCTURE OF NIPAH VIRUS
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4. Though Nipah virus has caused only a few outbreaks, it infects a wide range of
animals and causes severe disease and death in people, making it a public health
concern.
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Laura T Mazzola 1, Cassandra Kelly-Cirino 1

5. 5
Gurjeet Singh1 , Raksha , Anant D. Urhekar.
Graph.2. Representation of Nipah spread across south Asia

6. • The recent outbreak in Kerala is
thought to have been caused by dead
bats found in a well of a family's
home in the village of Changaroth.
• The infection reportedly spread
among family members and was
passed on to others who had been in
contact with the family.
The Nipah virus has already claimed 10 lives in the Indian state of Kerala, including a 31-year-
old nurse who was treating the infected. 6
Table.1 Mortality and Morbidity due to Nipah infection in South East Asia

7. Bangladesh
During the collection of date palm
sap, fruit bats drink from the sap and
contaminate the sap with Nipah virus
through saliva, urine, or feces. People
drinking the date palm sap become
infected with Nipah virus and transmit
the virus to close contacts.
Malaysia
Pteropid fruit bats are the natural reservoir
of Nipah virus. Bats roosting in fruit trees
on pig farms transmitted the virus to pigs.
Pigs transmitted Nipah virus to people in
close contact with them.
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8.  The pathologic findings in the brain
of Nipah encephalitis cases showed
evidence of necrotizing vasculitis.
 The main pathology appeared to be
widespread ischemia and infarction
caused by vasculitis-induced
thrombosis, although direct neuronal
invasion may also play a major role
in the pathogenesis of the
encephalitis.
 Alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary edema and aspiration pneumonia were often
encountered in the lungs.
 These may lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
ultimately.
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9.  Acute onset of
cough with
shortness of
breath
 Severe Headache
 Acute onset of
altered mental
status
 High Grade Fever
 Muscle pain
 Convulsion
 Diarrhoea
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10. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
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11. The samples should be collected as early as possible (preferably
within 4-5 days on onset of illness.
The samples may be as follows:
 Throat swab to be collected in viral transport medium
 Urine approx 10 ml in universal sterile container
 Blood in plain vial (at least 5ml)
 CSF (at least 1 ml) in a sterile container
 Samples should be safely packed in triple container packing and should be
transported under cold chain (2-8°C) to the testing laboratory with prior
intimation.
 Before dispatching the sample, disinfect the outer surface of container using
1:100 dilution of bleach or 5% Lysol solution.
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12. Serology
RT-PCR
ELISA
Virus Isolation
Neutralization test
Immunohistochemistry
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13. Yet No Specific treatment for NIPAH
 Treatment is limited to supportive care. May require intensive care monitoring
 Mechanical ventilation for air way protection for neurological deterioration.
 Proper barrier nursing techniques are important in preventing hospital-acquired
infections
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14. Antiviral Species Efficacy
Ribavirin
Human (Malaysia
outbreak)
36 % reduction in mortality
Syrian hamster No beneficial effect
Chloroquine
Syrian hamster No beneficial effect
Ferret No beneficial effect
Neutralizing
antibodies
Syrian hamster
100 % survival with pretreatment;
partial protection with posttreatment
m102.4 antibody Ferret
100 % survival when treated 24 h after
inoculation
poly(I)-poly(C 12 U) Syrian hamster
80 % survival when treated 2 h after
inoculation and 9 additional days
VIKI-PEG4-chol Syrian hamster
40 % survival when treated 2 days after
inoculation
Table.2 The efficacy of antiviral treatments tested in Nipah virus animal models
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Table.3 The efficacy of vaccine candidates tested in Nipah virus animal disease models

16. Respiratory Hygiene
Hand hygiene Injection safety facial protection
Gloves and gown
wearing
Environmental cleaning
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17. Avoid intake of fruits bitten by animals
Proper handling of specimen
Strong Disease Surveillance
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18.  Mazzola, L. T., & Kelly-Cirino, C. (2019). Diagnostics for Nipah virus: a zoonotic
pathogen endemic to Southeast Asia. BMJ global health, 4(Suppl 2).
 Gurjeet Singh1 , Raksha , Anant D. Urhekar. Nipah: A killer virus,
Int.J.Adv.Microbiol.Health.Res.2018; 2(2):40-55
 Mohd Nor MN, Gan CH, Ong BL. Nipah virus infection of pigs in peninsular
Malaysia. Rev Sci Tech. 2000;19:160–5.
 Chua KB, Bellini WJ, Rota PA, Harcourt BH, Tamin A, et al. Nipah virus: a recently
emergent deadly paramyxovirus. Science. 2000;288:1432–5.
 Halpin K, Hyatt AD, Fogarty R, Middleton D, Bingham J, et al. Pteropid bats are
confirmed as the reservoir hosts of henipaviruses: a comprehensive experimental study
of virus transmission. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011;85:946–51.
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