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Ishita Roy

Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How Did It All Begin?

<strong><span rel="noindex">Deadly Nipah Virus Outbreak</span>:</strong> <span>Nipah virus outbreak</span> reported in West Bengal, India started with the cases of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nipah-virus-case-detected-in-two-nurses-from-west-bengal-article-153438212" data-type="tilCustomLink">two nurses</a>, one of whom is in "critical condition". Nearly 100 people are quarantined, and India's Ministry of Health shared precautions to prevent Nipah virus infection in a post on X. 

<h2>Nipah Virus: The Evolution And Where It All Began </h2>

The original infection was first identified in September 1998 in Perak, Malaysia, which was followed by second and third clusters in the state of Negri Sembilan, notes a 2021 study that tracks the evolution of the virus. The cases were prominent in adult men who were in contact with swine. By March 1999, a cluster of 11 similar cases were identified in Singapore, mostly common in slaughterhouse workers, who were in contact with pigs imported from Malaysia. This is how the virus started to become global. While people there were isolated, the outbreak in Malaysia continued to spread. This led to restrictions on swine imports to Singapore, followed by nationwide testing among pigs in Malaysia, and ultimately mass culling of over one million pigs from any farm in Malaysia with a confirmed infection.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/nipah-virus-outbreak-india-how-contagious-is-it-and-who-is-most-at-risk-article-153504253" data-type="tilCustomLink">Nipah Virus Outbreak India: How Contagious Is It And Who Is Most At Risk?</a> 

Then appeared a new, distinct strain of Nipah virus with infection which was characterized largely by severe respiratory symptoms. In 2000-2001, Bangladesh and India were affected. Epidemiological studies revealed clustering around household members and hospital contacts without any clear animal exposure. This raised suspicion for human to human transmission. 

<h2>Nipah Virus In Bats: How Did Scientists Know?</h2>

When Nipah virus (NiV) was first identified, scientists noted that the closely related Hendra virus persisted in fruit bats of the Pteropus genus, raising early suspicions that these bats could also be the natural reservoir for NiV. Later research confirmed the presence of NiV genetic material and neutralising antibodies in urine, saliva, blood and various organs of several Pteropus bat species across Asia, including in countries with no recorded human cases.

This raised doubts, and it was later revealed that due to the consumption of raw date palm juice, the infection developed. This is because bats also are carrier of the virus and they may bite into raw fruits or lick them, and consuming juice from such fruits could spread the infection. This was a common practice in Bangladesh and much of South Asia.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/nipah-virus-outbreak-in-india-100-people-quarantined-doctor-issues-food-warnings-article-153493030" data-type="tilCustomLink">Nipah Virus Outbreak in India: 100 People Quarantined, Doctor Issues Food Warnings</a> 

Studies examining human exposure patterns found a strong link between NiV infection and the consumption of raw date palm sap. The sap, typically harvested between December and February, is often contaminated by bats that feed on it, leaving behind saliva and urine. In Bangladesh, this route has been identified as the main pathway of transmission from bats to humans, although the possibility of additional human-to-human spread remains.

In 2014, a serious outbreak of illness hit two villages in southern Philippines, with people developing brain infections, meningitis and flu-like symptoms. Tests later confirmed Nipah virus as the cause. Among those who developed acute brain infection, the death rate was extremely high at 82 percent. While some infections spread from person to person, this was the first outbreak linked to the slaughter of horses and the consumption of horse meat. Around the same time, several horses and other domestic animals that had eaten horse meat also fell sick and died.

In 2018, another outbreak occurred in Kerala, India, where 23 confirmed and suspected cases were reported. The virus spread across three hospitals, with both primary and secondary infections traced back to one initial patient. Samples collected from the patient’s home and workplaces, including pets and partially eaten fruits dropped by bats, all tested negative for the virus, and the exact source of the infection could not be identified.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/doctor-debunks-five-myths-around-nipah-virus-article-153470584" data-type="tilCustomLink">Doctor Debunks Five Myths Around Nipah Virus</a>

<h2>Nipah Virus Outbreak In India's West Bengal</h2>

Currently,<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nipah-virus-case-detected-in-two-nurses-from-west-bengal-article-153438212" data-type="tilCustomLink"> two nurses</a>, a doctor, hospital staff and some patients have reported to be infected by the virus. A <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nipah-virus-outbreak-in-india-after-two-west-bengal-cases-tests-on-bats-show-no-active-infection-article-153486477" data-type="tilCustomLink">survey </a> conducted on bats in West Bengal found no active Nipah virus infection. Though there were antibodies detected in one specimen, which indicated prior exposure. This was confirmed by a senior state forest department official. The survey was conducted amid the identification of two confirmed Nipah virus cases.

To conduct the survey, nine bats near Kuberpur on the Kolkata-Barasat Road in Madhyamgram were tested using RT-PCR. All samples were negative, however, one bat, tested positive for antibodies. However, it only suggested prior infection, meaning there was no current risk of transmission.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nipah-virus-outbreak-in-india-how-is-the-virus-being-contained-article-153497386" data-type="tilCustomLink">Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How Is The Virus Being Contained?</a>

The survey was conducted by the state forest department in collaboration with scientists form Pune-based National Institute of Virology. "The findings are reassuring, but caution is warranted. Surveillance and prevent measures will continue until we are fully assured that there is no risk," confirmed a senior official of the West Bengal Health Department.

<h2>Nipah Virus: What Is It And What Are The Symptoms?</h2>

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals, and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.

In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/unique-symptoms-of-nipah-virus-found-in-west-bengal-and-how-long-infection-now-last-article-153440597" data-type="tilCustomLink">asymptomatic </a> (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.

Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people.

<h3><span rel="noindex">Nipah Virus Symptoms</span></h3>

<ul><li>Fever</li><li>Headache</li><li>Breathing difficulties</li><li>Cough and sore throat</li><li>Diarrhea</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Muscle pain and severe weakness</li></ul>

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Deadly Nipah Virus Outbreak: Nipah virus outbreak reported in West Bengal, India started with the cases of two nurses, one of whom is in "critical condition". Nearly 100 people are quarantined, and India's Ministry of Health shared precautions to prevent Nipah virus infection in a post on X. However, how did it all start?Nipah Virus: The Evolution And Where It All Began The original infection was first identified in September 1998 in Perak, Malaysia, which was followed by second and third clusters in the state of Negri Sembilan, notes a 2021 study that tracks the evolution of the virus. The cases were prominent in adult men who were in contact with swine. By March 1999, a cluster of 11 similar cases were identified in Singapore, mostly common in slaughterhouse workers, who were in contact with pigs imported from Malaysia. This is how the virus started to become global. While people there were isolated, the outbreak in Malaysia continued to spread. This led to restrictions on swine imports to Singapore, followed by nationwide testing among pigs in Malaysia, and ultimately mass culling of over one million pigs from any farm in Malaysia with a confirmed infection.Read: Nipah Virus Outbreak India: How Contagious Is It And Who Is Most At Risk? Then appeared a new, distinct strain of Nipah virus with infection which was characterized largely by severe respiratory symptoms. In 2000-2001, Bangladesh and India were affected. Epidemiological studies revealed clustering around household members and hospital contacts without any clear animal exposure. This raised suspicion for human to human transmission. Nipah Virus In Bats: How Did Scientists Know?When Nipah virus (NiV) was first identified, scientists noted that the closely related Hendra virus persisted in fruit bats of the Pteropus genus, raising early suspicions that these bats could also be the natural reservoir for NiV. Later research confirmed the presence of NiV genetic material and neutralising antibodies in urine, saliva, blood and various organs of several Pteropus bat species across Asia, including in countries with no recorded human cases.This raised doubts, and it was later revealed that due to the consumption of raw date palm juice, the infection developed. This is because bats also are carrier of the virus and they may bite into raw fruits or lick them, and consuming juice from such fruits could spread the infection. This was a common practice in Bangladesh and much of South Asia.Read: Nipah Virus Outbreak in India: 100 People Quarantined, Doctor Issues Food Warnings Studies examining human exposure patterns found a strong link between NiV infection and the consumption of raw date palm sap. The sap, typically harvested between December and February, is often contaminated by bats that feed on it, leaving behind saliva and urine. In Bangladesh, this route has been identified as the main pathway of transmission from bats to humans, although the possibility of additional human-to-human spread remains.Nipah Virus Went GlobalIn 2014, a serious outbreak of illness hit two villages in southern Philippines, with people developing brain infections, meningitis and flu-like symptoms. Tests later confirmed Nipah virus as the cause. Among those who developed acute brain infection, the death rate was extremely high at 82 percent. While some infections spread from person to person, this was the first outbreak linked to the slaughter of horses and the consumption of horse meat. Around the same time, several horses and other domestic animals that had eaten horse meat also fell sick and died.In 2018, another outbreak occurred in Kerala, India, where 23 confirmed and suspected cases were reported. The virus spread across three hospitals, with both primary and secondary infections traced back to one initial patient. Samples collected from the patient’s home and workplaces, including pets and partially eaten fruits dropped by bats, all tested negative for the virus, and the exact source of the infection could not be identified.Read: Doctor Debunks Five Myths Around Nipah VirusNipah Virus Outbreak In India's West BengalCurrently, two nurses, a doctor, hospital staff and some patients have reported to be infected by the virus. A survey  conducted on bats in West Bengal found no active Nipah virus infection. Though there were antibodies detected in one specimen, which indicated prior exposure. This was confirmed by a senior state forest department official. The survey was conducted amid the identification of two confirmed Nipah virus cases.To conduct the survey, nine bats near Kuberpur on the Kolkata-Barasat Road in Madhyamgram were tested using RT-PCR. All samples were negative, however, one bat, tested positive for antibodies. However, it only suggested prior infection, meaning there was no current risk of transmission.Read: Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How Is The Virus Being Contained?The survey was conducted by the state forest department in collaboration with scientists form Pune-based National Institute of Virology. "The findings are reassuring, but caution is warranted. Surveillance and prevent measures will continue until we are fully assured that there is no risk," confirmed a senior official of the West Bengal Health Department.Nipah Virus: What Is It And What Are The Symptoms?As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals, and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic  (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people.Nipah Virus SymptomsFeverHeadacheBreathing difficultiesCough and sore throatDiarrheaVomitingMuscle pain and severe weakness

nipah virus outbreak in india: how did it all begin?

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Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How Did It All Begin?

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Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: How Did It All Begin?

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