Context: Nipah resurfaces in Kerala district

Source: The Hindu

In Kerala’s Malappuram district, Nipah has returned after a 42-year-old woman tested positive for the Nipah virus. She is receiving medical care at a hospital. It’s still unknown where the woman got her virus.

It has been discovered that fruit-eating bats are the primary Nipah virus carriers. In Kerala, Nipah was first mentioned in 2018. Since then, outbreaks of Nipah have been documented nearly annually, primarily in Malabar.

Model Question:

“Nipah virus outbreaks in India reflect the need for stronger zoonotic disease surveillance and preparedness. Discuss the characteristics of the Nipah virus, the challenges it poses to public health, and measures required to mitigate future outbreaks.”

Model Answer:

The Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic pathogen belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, first identified in Malaysia (1998). In India, outbreaks have occurred in West Bengal (2001, 2007) and Kerala (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023), with high case fatality rates.

Characteristics of Nipah Virus:

1. Reservoir: Fruit bats of the genus Pteropus (commonly known as flying foxes).
2. Transmission: From animals to humans (via bat-contaminated fruit or pigs), and human-to-human transmission through body fluids.
3. Symptoms: Fever, headache, respiratory issues, and fatal encephalitis.
4. Case Fatality Rate: 40% to 75%, significantly higher than COVID-19.

Public Health Challenges:

1. High Mortality & Lack of Cure: No specific antiviral or licensed vaccine; treatment is supportive.
2. Delayed Detection: Rare and often misdiagnosed in early stages.
3. Zoonotic Origin: Involves complex interactions between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.
4. Healthcare Infrastructure: Requires high biosafety level facilities and isolation wards.

Preventive and Mitigation Measures:

1. One Health Approach: Integration of human, animal, and environmental health surveillance.
2. Public Awareness: Avoiding consumption of partially eaten fruits and contact with bats.
3. Early Detection Systems: Strengthening Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
4. Research and Vaccine Development: Accelerate efforts via ICMR and partnerships with WHO.
5. Rapid Response Teams: Training for contact tracing, isolation, and community engagement.

The recurring outbreaks of Nipah virus underscore the urgency of investing in pandemic preparedness, zoonotic disease surveillance, and global health security frameworks. India’s proactive containment in recent years must evolve into a long-term strategy for emerging infectious diseases.