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What is Nipah virus? -

The Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads between animals and humans. It spreads mainly through fruit bats, but also through pigs and other animals like goats, horses, dogs, or cats. 

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How it spreads -

The virus spreads when people or animals have contact with the bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, feces, or saliva, of an infected animal.

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Contaminated food -

It can also spread when people eat foods that have been contaminated by an infected animal.

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Contact with an infected person - The virus also spreads when people are in close contact with a person who has been infected, usually while caring for them.

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Date palms -

Transmission has also been shown to occur by drinking raw date palm sap. People who regularly climb trees where bats sleep and rest have also been infected by the Nipah virus.

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The first outbreak -

Nipah was first discovered in 1999, following an outbreak in pigs and humans in Malaysia and Singapore. A total of 265 people got sick, and 105 died. 

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From bats to pigs, and humans -

In this first outbreak, bats initially spread the Nipah virus to pigs. People who worked closely with the infected pigs then got sick too.

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Reported outbreaks -

Nipah outbreaks have only been reported from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. However, the fruit bats that carry the Nipah virus are found throughout Asia, the South Pacific, and Australia.

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A serious virus -

Nipah can cause mild to severe illness, including swelling of the brain and death.

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Signs and symptoms -

People with Nipah are typically sick for three to 14 days with fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.

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Later in the infection -

Later in the infection, some people may experience brain swelling, or encephalitis, where severe symptoms can include confusion, drowsiness, and seizures. People with these symptoms can fall into a coma within 24–48 hours.

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How long it takes for signs to show -

People with Nipah usually start getting sick four to 14 days after infection with the virus. 

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Is Nipah virus airborne? - Yes, the virus spreads through respiratory droplets, which means it can spread through the air when a person coughs or sneezes.

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What are the complications of Nipah virus? -

Some of the known long-term complications include convulsions and personality changes. A few people only develop symptoms months or years after exposure to the virus because it can lie dormant. 

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Complications with brain infection -

People who recover from brain infection, also known as encephalitis, may get it again. 

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Testing and diagnosis -

Nipah should be considered for people with relevant symptoms who have been in areas where the virus is endemic, such as Bangladesh and India. 

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The first stages of infection -

During the first stages of infection, a healthcare provider can perform a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test from throat and nasal swabs, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, or blood to diagnose the condition.

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Diagnosing during later stages or after recovery -

Providers can also diagnose the infection in its later stages or after recovery by testing your blood for certain antibodies.

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Is there a cure for Nipah virus? -

There's currently no vaccine or medications to cure Nipah virus.

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Treatment and recovery -

There are no antiviral medications to treat the virus, which means treatment consists of managing your symptoms. This may consist of rest, hydration, and using medications to control nausea or vomiting.

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People risking infection -

Caregivers and healthcare providers caring for a patient with Nipah are at a higher risk of becoming infected. In hospitals and other healthcare centers, healthcare providers should practice standard infection control protocols.

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Reducing risk -

If you live in or travel to an area where the Nipah virus occurs, then there are a number of precautions you should take to avoid getting the virus.

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Hand hygiene - Make sure to wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

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Reducing risk - At all costs, avoid any contact with fruit bats and sick pigs.

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Avoid contaminated produce - Avoid eating or drinking things that may be contaminated, such as palm sap or fruit. If you collect palm sap, boil it first. Also, wash and peel all fruits before consumption.

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Fruits to avoid -

Throw away any fruit with bat bites or fruit that's touched the ground.

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Pig farms - In the case that you must visit a pig farm, make sure to always disinfect after. Animals with the virus should go into quarantine right away.

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Don't go near the resting spot of bats -

Avoid trees or bushes where bats are known to rest or sleep.

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Infected bodily fluids -

Avoid contact with the saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids of a person with the virus.

Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (CNN) (BBC) 

See also: Plague, leprosy, and COVID-19: The most devastating pandemics in history

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