NiV - Nipah Virus Infection

NIPAH VIRUS

Nipah virus infection (NiV) is caused by the Nipah virus. The Nipah virus is a type of RNA virus in the genus Henipavirus. It can both spread between people and from other animals to people. Direct content with an infected source helps this virus to spread. The virus normally circulates among specific types of fruit bats.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms start to appear within 3–14 days after exposure. Initial symptoms are:

• Fever
• Headache
• Respiratory illness (shortness of breath)
• Drowsiness followed by disorientation and mental confusion. 

These symptoms can progress into coma as fast as in 24–48 hours. Encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, is the dreaded complication of nipah virus infection. 

TREATMENT

Currently there is no effective treatment for Nipah virus infection. The treatment is limited to supportive care. 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.

PREVENTION

As there is no effective treatment so Prevention of Nipah virus infection is important. 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

• Using water from wells infested by bats 

These all should be avoided. 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. 

(source: wikipedia)