'Deadly and unpredictable': Nipah virus isn’t just another fever, experts call for urgent vigilance

Well being authorities have raised the alarm after two suspected instances of Nipah virus had been reported in West Bengal, prompting the central authorities to deploy a Nationwide Joint Outbreak Response Group to strengthen containment measures. Nipah, a uncommon however extremely deadly viral an infection has triggered sporadic outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia over the previous 20 years with case fatality charges reaching as much as 75 %.

In contrast to widespread seasonal sicknesses, Nipah is unpredictable and might unfold from animals to people or between individuals by way of shut contact, making even a couple of suspected instances a critical public well being concern. Specialists emphasised that early detection, fast isolation, strict an infection management and public consciousness are important to forestall the virus from escalating into a bigger outbreak.

What makes Nipah virus a critical public well being risk

Explaining the character of the an infection, Dr. Manohar Okay N, Lead Advisor – Inner Drugs and Diabetology at SPARSH Hospital (Bangalore) mentioned Nipah virus primarily impacts the mind and respiratory system. Transmission, he famous, can happen by way of direct contact with contaminated animals, consumption of contaminated meals, or shut contact with contaminated people by way of respiratory droplets.

Dr. Manohar added that fruit bats are the pure reservoir of the virus. “Human infections have been linked to the consumption of fruits or uncooked date palm sap contaminated by bat urine. In some outbreaks, pigs have acted as intermediate hosts, spreading the virus to people by way of shut contact,” he mentioned.

Whereas asymptomatic transmission is taken into account unusual, Dr. Manohar cautioned that people within the early phases of an infection should still transmit the virus earlier than signs turn into evident. “This makes monitoring, early isolation and strict an infection management extraordinarily vital throughout outbreaks,” he mentioned.

Dr. Rakesh Pandit, Senior Advisor and Head of Inner Drugs at Aakash Healthcare echoed these considerations, describing Nipah as a zoonotic illness able to spreading from animals to people and between individuals. “Previous outbreaks have proven that human-to-human transmission can happen, notably in healthcare and family settings,” he mentioned.

Dr. Pandit additional mentioned that the sickness can current in a number of types. “Signs vary from fever and respiratory sickness to extreme neurological issues. In superior instances, sufferers might develop encephalitis, a doubtlessly deadly irritation of the mind. The World Well being Organisation has designated Nipah as a precedence pathogen due to its epidemic potential,” he mentioned.

Medical doctors mentioned that whereas Nipah doesn’t unfold as quickly as airborne infections like Covid-19 or influenza, it poses vital dangers in settings involving shut and extended contact.

Dr. Sushrut Ganpule, Advisor Pulmonologist at Jupiter Hospital (Pune) mentioned healthcare staff and caregivers face elevated dangers within the absence of strict an infection management measures. “Earlier Nipah outbreaks have recorded fatality charges as excessive as 75 %, making it deadlier than most viral infections. Stopping secondary transmission relies upon closely on early detection, isolation and adherence to an infection management protocols,” he mentioned.

He added that even survivors might face long-term issues. “The sickness is life-threatening, and people who get better can expertise neurological issues corresponding to seizures and character adjustments,” Dr. Ganpule mentioned.

Specialists careworn that fast prognosis stays central to outbreak management. Dr. Aakaar Kapoor, Founder and Designated Accomplice at Metropolis imaging & medical labs, mentioned early laboratory affirmation can considerably alter outcomes.

“With Nipah, time is all the things. Preliminary signs can resemble a routine viral fever, however neurological indicators or respiration problem are crimson flags. Early lab affirmation helps docs isolate sufferers rapidly and shield contacts,” Dr. Kapoor mentioned.

He defined that testing requires particular precautions. “Samples should be dealt with with excessive warning. RT-PCR testing and shut coordination with reference laboratories are essential to verify instances directly. Imaging and laboratory diagnostics collectively assist assess the extent of organ involvement, notably within the lungs and mind,” he mentioned.

No vaccine, prevention stays one of the best defence

Medical doctors warned that Nipah virus can have an effect on a number of organs in extreme instances. Dr. Vineet Malhotra, Urologist and Managing Director and Founding father of VNA Hospital, mentioned kidney involvement has additionally been noticed. “In superior instances, kidney injury can worsen prognosis, which is why sufferers require intensive monitoring and complete supportive care,” he mentioned.

At current, there is no such thing as a permitted vaccine or antiviral remedy for Nipah virus. Dr. Pranjit Bhowmik, Chairman – Inner Drugs (Unit I) at Asian Hospital, mentioned remedy stays largely supportive. “Administration focuses on relieving signs and stopping issues. The Centre’s shut monitoring displays the virus’s historical past of sudden outbreaks and excessive mortality,” he mentioned.

Dr. Bhowmik emphasised that vigilance stays vital. “Early prognosis, strict isolation, public consciousness and an infection management are the strongest instruments to forestall a restricted outbreak from escalating into a bigger well being disaster,” he mentioned.

On preventive measures, Dr. Manohar suggested avoiding direct contact with bats, sick animals and contaminated people. He additionally beneficial cautious washing of fruits, avoiding uncooked or unprocessed meals corresponding to uncooked date palm sap in affected areas, and looking for instant medical consideration for signs like fever, headache, confusion or respiration problem.

Dr. Manohar added that masks will help scale back the unfold of respiratory droplets, notably in healthcare settings or throughout shut contact, when mixed with hand hygiene, distancing and isolation protocols.

The World Well being Organisation (WHO) has labeled Nipah as a precedence pathogen due to its potential to trigger epidemics. Fruit bats are its pure reservoir whereas contaminated meals and human-to-human transmission have been linked to previous outbreaks. The virus primarily impacts the mind and respiratory system with extreme instances resulting in encephalitis, multi-organ involvement and long-term neurological issues amongst survivors.

As well being authorities ramp up surveillance and containment efforts in West Bengal, specialists careworn that public cooperation, early reporting of signs and adherence to preventive measures shall be essential in curbing the danger of additional transmission.