Second wave of Nipah virus in south india and emphasizing

Mrs.Lintamol Thomas

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

Second wave of Nipah virus in south india and emphasizing

Mrs. Lintamol Thomas

Abstract :

Nipah virus (NiV) encephalitis first reported in "Sungai Nipah" in Malaysia in 1999 has emerged as a global public health threat in the Southeast Asia region. From 1998 to 2018, more than 630 cases of NiV human infections were reported. NiV is transmitted by zoonotic (from bats to humans, or from bats to pigs, and then to humans) as well as human–to–human routes. Deforestation and urbanization of some areas have contributed to greater overlap between human and bat habitats resulting in NiV outeaks. Common symptoms of NiV infection in humans are similar to that of influenza such as fever and muscle pain and in some cases, the inflammation of the ain occurs leading to encephalitis. In May 2018 in Kerala for the first time has killed over 17 people in 7 days with high case fatality and highlighted the importance of One Health approach. Though the first phase of infection is controlled successfully, in the first week of june 2019 again positive Nipah virus is reported in Kochi,Kerala . The diagnosis is often not suspected at the time of presentation and creates challenges in outeak detection, timely control measures, and outeak response activities. There are currently no drugs or vaccines specific for Nipah virus infection although WHO has identified Nipah as a priority disease for the WHO Research and Development Blueprint. Antivirals (Ribavirin), biologicals, immunomodulators, and intensive supportive care are the mainstay to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications. There is a great need for strengthening animal health surveillance system, using a One Health approach, to detect new cases and provide early warning for veterinary and human public health authorities.