Nipah Virus : Two Case In West Bengal
India recently confirmed two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal since December, with health authorities containing the situation amid misinformation and heightened airport screenings in parts of Asia.
- Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people.
- Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural hosts of Nipah virus.
- In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis.
- NiV infection is one of the priority diseases on the World Health Organization (WHO) R&D Blueprint because of its epidemic or pandemic potential.
- Infected people initially develop symptoms including fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat.
- There are no specifically approved treatments or vaccines available for NiV infection, either for people or animals.
- Intensive supportive care is recommended to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications.
