Species: Henipavirus nipahense
RNA virus, ribavirin
NIPHA VIRUS:-
The Nipah virus (Henipavirus nipahense) is a zoonotic virus transmitted by bats, responsible for Nipah virus infection in humans and various animals, which has a notably high mortality rate ranging from 40% to 75%.
There have been multiple outbreaks of this virus in regions of South East Africa and Southeast Asia. Nipah virus is classified under the genus Henipavirus, which also includes the Hendra virus, known for causing disease outbreaks as well.
This virus can persist for as long as 3 days in certain fruit juices or on mango fruit, and it remains viable for at least 7 days in artificial date palm sap (composed of 13% sucrose and 0.21% BSA in water, with a pH of 7.0) when stored at 22 °C. In the urine of fruit bats, the virus has a half-life of 18 hours.
Nipah virus exhibits relative stability in the environment, maintaining viability at 70 °C for 1 hour (though the concentration of the virus will decrease). Complete inactivation occurs when heated to 100 °C for over 15 minutes (de Wit et al. 2014). Nonetheless, the virus's viability in its natural habitat can fluctuate based on varying conditions. NiV is easily inactivated by soaps, detergents, and commercially available disinfectants like sodium hypochlorite.
SYMPTOMS:-
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Sore throat
There may be some more serious conditions including:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Altered consciousness
- Acute encephalitis
- Atypical pneumonia
- Severe respiratory distress
- Seizures
In human
The virus is known to cause severe and rapidly advancing illness affecting both the respiratory system and the central nervous system (CNS). Symptoms of the disease typically manifest 3 to 14 days after exposure to NiV. Initially, patients experience a significant increase in body temperature, accompanied by drowsiness and headaches. This is soon followed by mental confusion and disorientation, which can escalate to a coma within 1 to 2 days. A major complication associated with NiV infection is encephalitis. During the early stages, respiratory issues may become apparent, leading to the development of atypical pneumonia. Some patients may exhibit coughing and acute respiratory distress. Additional symptoms can include a sore throat, vomiting, and muscle aches. There is also a risk of septicemia, along with renal impairment and gastrointestinal bleeding. In severe instances, encephalitis and seizures may develop within 24 to 48 hours, potentially resulting in coma. It is important to highlight that the virus is more frequently transmitted from patients who are experiencing labored breathing compared to those without respiratory issues.
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