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Ishita Roy

Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How It Affects The Immune System

Nipah virus outbreak in india: how it affects lungs

Nipah virus outbreak in India: how does it affect brain

<span>Nipah virus outbreak in India</span> has triggered screenings across Asian airports. However, the health authorities of the Kolkata hospital where two nurses were admitted confirmed that one of the two nurses has been <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nipah-virus-outbreak-in-india-one-of-two-nurses-discharged-from-hospital-article-153539130" data-type="tilCustomLink">discharged</a> from hospital. While this may be a good sign, there is still need to be cautious of the virus. 

<h2><span rel="noindex">Nipah Virus Outbreak</span> In India: How Does It Work?</h2>

Experts and doctors are still telling people to be cautious of what they eat, as the fatality rates are from 40 per cent to as high as 75 per cent. It is a zoonotic infections that infects vital organs like brain and lungs. However, the virus is also able to manipulate body's immune system.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Nipah Virus</span> In India: How Does It Affect Immune System?</h2>

<span>Nipah</span> virus is lethal because it can outpace, suppress and misdirect immune responses. Speaking to NDTV, Dr Dip Narayan Mukherjee, Consultant, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at CK Birla Hospitals said, Nipah virus leaves the body unable to clear the infection in time. "Understanding this immune disruption is critical to explaining why Nipah causes severe encephalitis, multi-organ failure and high mortality, and why early detection and containment remain the most effective tools against it."

This immune disruption begins early in the infection. The body’s first line of defense against viruses is the innate immune system, which relies heavily on interferons. These signalling proteins alert neighboring cells to the threat and trigger antiviral mechanisms that slow viral replication.

“One of the earliest ways Nipah evades immunity is by interfering with the innate immune response,” Dr Mukherjee says. “The virus suppresses interferon activity, allowing it to multiply rapidly before the immune system can respond adequately.”

Research published by the World Health Organization and other virology institutes shows that specific Nipah virus proteins block interferon signalling pathways. This gives the virus a crucial head start, enabling widespread infection before the immune system is fully activated.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/australia-is-monitoring-nipah-virus-outbreak-in-india-article-153535911" data-type="tilCustomLink">Australia Is Monitoring Nipah Virus Outbreak In India</a>

<h2>Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: Inflammation And Low Immunity</h2>

As the infection progresses, Nipah targets the cells lining blood vessels, a feature that sets it apart from many other respiratory viruses. Damage to these vessels allows the virus to spread to multiple organs, including the brain, while also triggering widespread inflammation.

Instead of a controlled antiviral response, the body releases large amounts of inflammatory molecules. This excessive inflammation leads to tissue injury, swelling and organ dysfunction, contributing to respiratory failure, neurological symptoms and circulatory collapse in severe cases.

Another hallmark of Nipah infection is immune exhaustion. Although the virus does not directly infect most immune cells, the intense inflammatory environment causes them to become overactivated and eventually dysfunctional. Once these defense cells lose their ability to control viral replication, the infection accelerates, and supportive care becomes less effective in later stages.

When Nipah crosses into the brain, immune control becomes even more limited. The brain’s immune responses are naturally restrained to prevent damage, allowing the virus to persist. At the same time, inflammation causes swelling, seizures and encephalitis. Neurological complications remain the leading cause of death in Nipah outbreaks.

<h2>Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: Why Antibodies Against The Infection Arrive Late</h2>

The adaptive immune response, which includes antibody production and virus-specific T-cells, also struggles to keep pace with the rapid spread of Nipah. By the time neutralizing antibodies are produced, significant organ damage may have already occurred, particularly in the brain. This delayed response explains why severe encephalitis is common even in people without underlying health conditions.

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Nipah virus outbreak in India has triggered screenings across Asian airports. However, the health authorities of the Kolkata hospital where two nurses were admitted confirmed that one of the two nurses has been discharged from hospital. While this may be a good sign, there is still need to be cautious of the virus. Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How Does It Work?Experts and doctors are still telling people to be cautious of what they eat, as the fatality rates are from 40 per cent to as high as 75 per cent. It is a zoonotic infections that infects vital organs like brain and lungs. However, the virus is also able to manipulate body's immune system.Nipah Virus In India: How Does It Affect Immune System?Nipah virus is lethal because it can outpace, suppress and misdirect immune responses. Speaking to NDTV, Dr Dip Narayan Mukherjee, Consultant, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at CK Birla Hospitals said, Nipah virus leaves the body unable to clear the infection in time. "Understanding this immune disruption is critical to explaining why Nipah causes severe encephalitis, multi-organ failure and high mortality, and why early detection and containment remain the most effective tools against it."This immune disruption begins early in the infection. The body’s first line of defense against viruses is the innate immune system, which relies heavily on interferons. These signalling proteins alert neighboring cells to the threat and trigger antiviral mechanisms that slow viral replication.“One of the earliest ways Nipah evades immunity is by interfering with the innate immune response,” Dr Mukherjee says. “The virus suppresses interferon activity, allowing it to multiply rapidly before the immune system can respond adequately.”Research published by the World Health Organization and other virology institutes shows that specific Nipah virus proteins block interferon signalling pathways. This gives the virus a crucial head start, enabling widespread infection before the immune system is fully activated.Read: Australia Is Monitoring Nipah Virus Outbreak In IndiaNipah Virus Outbreak In India: Inflammation And Low ImmunityAs the infection progresses, Nipah targets the cells lining blood vessels, a feature that sets it apart from many other respiratory viruses. Damage to these vessels allows the virus to spread to multiple organs, including the brain, while also triggering widespread inflammation.Instead of a controlled antiviral response, the body releases large amounts of inflammatory molecules. This excessive inflammation leads to tissue injury, swelling and organ dysfunction, contributing to respiratory failure, neurological symptoms and circulatory collapse in severe cases.Another hallmark of Nipah infection is immune exhaustion. Although the virus does not directly infect most immune cells, the intense inflammatory environment causes them to become overactivated and eventually dysfunctional. Once these defense cells lose their ability to control viral replication, the infection accelerates, and supportive care becomes less effective in later stages.When Nipah crosses into the brain, immune control becomes even more limited. The brain’s immune responses are naturally restrained to prevent damage, allowing the virus to persist. At the same time, inflammation causes swelling, seizures and encephalitis. Neurological complications remain the leading cause of death in Nipah outbreaks.Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: Why Antibodies Against The Infection Arrive LateThe adaptive immune response, which includes antibody production and virus-specific T-cells, also struggles to keep pace with the rapid spread of Nipah. By the time neutralizing antibodies are produced, significant organ damage may have already occurred, particularly in the brain. This delayed response explains why severe encephalitis is common even in people without underlying health conditions.

nipah virus outbreak in india: how it affects the immune system

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Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How It Affects The Immune System

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Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How It Affects The Immune System

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