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Published on: December 2, 2012
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Nipah encephalitis - an update.
1University of Malaya, Department of Medicine, Neurology, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. sherrini@ummc.edu.my.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
|November 25, 2014
Summary
Nipah virus, a paramyxovirus, causes fatal encephalitis and pneumonia in humans. Transmitted by bats to pigs and then humans, or directly from bats and human-to-human, Henipavirus poses a global health risk.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The emergence of Nipah virus, a novel paramyxovirus, caused fatal encephalitis outbreaks in Malaysia and Singapore (1998-1999).
- Nipah virus, named after its isolation site, is transmitted via bats to pigs and subsequently to humans.
- Since 2001, recurrent Nipah virus outbreaks in Bangladesh and India involve direct bat-to-human and human-to-human transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the characteristics and transmission of Nipah virus and related Henipaviruses.
- To highlight the zoonotic nature and public health implications of Henipavirus infections.
- To underscore the role of Pteropus bats as reservoirs for Henipaviruses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of epidemiological data from Nipah virus outbreaks.
- Comparative analysis of Nipah virus and Hendra virus characteristics.
- Identification of transmission routes and risk factors.
Main Results:
- Nipah virus belongs to the Henipavirus genus, sharing homology with Hendra virus.
- Henipavirus infections manifest as severe encephalitis or pneumonia with high mortality rates.
- Pteropus bats are the natural reservoir, with transmission occurring through contaminated food, animal contact, or human-to-human spread.
Conclusions:
- Henipavirus infections represent a significant emerging threat to human health globally.
- The wide distribution of Pteropus bats amplifies the potential for widespread Henipavirus outbreaks.
- Effective surveillance and control measures are crucial to mitigate the impact of Henipavirus.
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