Context-

• So far, 4 cases of Nipah virus infection have been reported in Kozhikode, Kerala, while two people have died.

About Nipah virus -

• Nipah virus is a bat-borne, zoonotic virus that causes infection in humans and other animals.
• Nipah virus belongs to the Henipavirus genus along with Hendra viruses, which have also caused the spread of the disease.
• Scientific name: Nipah henipavirus 
• Higher Classification: Henipavirus

Reason:

• The most likely source of infection is consumption of fruit or fruit products (such as raw date juice) contaminated with the urine or saliva of infected fruit bats.
• Consuming food products that have been contaminated with the body fluids of infected animals (such as palm sap or fruit contaminated by infected bats). 
• Close contact with a person infected with NiV or their body fluids (including nasal or respiratory droplets, urine or blood).

Signs and symptoms: 

• Infected people initially develop symptoms such as fever, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat.
• This may be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs indicating acute encephalitis.
• Severe cases cause encephalitis and seizures, which progress to coma within 24 to 48 hours.
• The incubation period (the interval from infection to the onset of symptoms) is believed to be 4 to 14 days. 

 Global Outbreak:

•  It was first found in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998 and 1999.
• Its wide spread was also seen in Bangladesh.
• Outbreak in India - 
• There have been four outbreaks of Nipah in Kerala since 2018, the last of which occurred in 2021.
•  WHO estimates that the mortality rate of Nipah virus is between 40 to 75 percent. 
• It has been listed as a priority disease due to its epidemic potential.

Treatment :

• At present, no medicine or vaccine has been made specifically for the treatment of Nipah virus infection. 
• Treatment is limited to supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms as they occur.
• However, there are immunotherapeutic treatments (monoclonal antibody therapy) that are currently used to treat NiV infection.
• prevention :
• Reducing the risk of transmission from bats to humans. 
• Controlling Nipah virus in pigs. 
• Killing infected animals. 
• Preventing human-to-human transmission – lockdown etc.

Exam oriented Static facts

 World Health Organization

• Year established: 1948
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Start of work: April 7, 1948
• World Health Day: 7 April
• Director General: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus