For Nipah prevention, learning to live safely with bats is the way forward, say experts
This year, the State reported four cases between May and July and unusually, all of these were primary cases. Of this, three cases were reported within a 30-50 km radius in Palakkad-Malappuram districts within a span of 15 days, but each were random spillover events, with no secondary transmission of infection.
The exact bat to human NiV spillover mechanism in Kerala continues to remain elusive, even though, the latest hypothesis proposed by eminent microbiologist and public health expert, T. Jacob John, suggests that the recurrence of rare, randomly distributed spillover events in the State raises the rare possibility of air-borne transmission of NiV.
Air-borne transmission possibility
Dr. John points out that bats' urination from roosting sites may produce aerosols, especially when droplets of bat excreta mix with dust particles (Viral RNA has been detected in bat urine in many previous studies) Air-borne transmission of NiV is theoretically possible if humans are exposed to aerosols containing viable virus or free virus particles. He suggests exploring air sampling methods for NiV around trees with bat roosts, apart from lab studies.
The fact that three of this year's NiV-affected persons were living in houses surrounded by bat roosts with fairly high bat density, also aligns with the possibility that they could have been exposed to bat secretions – directly or as aerosols.
Health officials say that there was clear evidence that some disturbing events had preceded the three random Nipah human infections.
Dispersion risk
'The local people said that the bat roosts in the affected localities had been there since ages. But recently, there had been some attempts by local people to drive away the bats through the bursting of crackers. Disturbing bat roosts disrupts the ecosystem and increases the spillover risk by causing stress-induced viral shedding in bats and leading to the wider dispersion of infected bats,' an official says.
At a recent online interaction with public health experts and scientists in Kerala, Jonathan Epstein, an epidemiologist at EcoHealth Alliance and one who has done extensive research in NiV, reiterated that human behaviour is the primary risk for NiV spillover and that viral shedding and NiV outbreaks amongst bats do not follow any tight annual or seasonal patterns.
Spillovers could result when there is an alignment of increased viral shedding in bats (because of stressful events like threat to habitat, food scarcity, mating or birthing times) and coincidental high-risk human behaviour.
'Bats have a vital role in the environment and rather than trying to remove them from the landscape, it is human behaviour that has to be modified so that there are minimal human-bat interactions. Going forward, the most plausible, evidence-based way to prevent random Nipah spillovers is by 'learning to live safely with bats', says R. Aravind, Head of Infectious Diseases, Govt Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
Monitoring bat colonies
This involves protecting natural habitats, reducing high-risk human behaviours through public education, regular bat colony monitoring, strengthening surveillance and rapid outbreak response capabilities, all of which had been encapsulated in the Zero Nipah campaign that the State had launched in 2019.
'We have already initiated a risk stratification of districts, by mapping bat roosts and studying the bat density in each. Increased bat density, periodic viral shedding, and waning immunity to NiV in bats over time can increase the spillover risk,' a Health official says.
'Educating the public about bat ecology and convincing them that it is their behaviour that has to changed to prevent Nipah, is not going to be an easy task. We are in the process of drawing up IEC messages – which have to be nuanced and focussed – so that people understand how they can reduce their vulnerability through behaviour modification.
Kerala has already strengthened AES (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome) through syndromic surveillance, so that early detection and management of Nipah is possible. Tighter infection control practices are being advocated in hospitals, including proper education to healthcare workers that universal precautions such as masking are to be maintained at all times inside hospitals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Palakkad Nipah control room winds down ops
KOCHI: The control room set up at the Government Medical College, Palakkad, as part of the Nipah virus containment efforts, has officially ceased operations. The control room was established on July 3, following the confirmation of Nipah infection in the district. The district administration stated on Saturday that the coordinated response by various departments played a crucial role in successfully containing the outbreak. Key departments such as the district administration, district medical office (Health), homoeopathy, ayurveda, forest and wildlife, civil supplies, police, and animal husbandry were involved in the containment operations. Their collective efforts significantly contributed to halting the spread of the virus, said a press release issued by the Palakkad district collectorate. The district collector however has urged for continued public vigilance to prevent any future outbreaks.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Environmentalists blame PMC's poor sewage treatment for increase in Mutha water pollution
1 2 Pune: PMC's efforts to treat sewage have been falling short, the civic body's environment status report for 2024-25 has revealed. The COD (chemical oxygen demand) and BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) levels in the Mutha river have increased over the year, which, according to environmentalists, indicates poor water quality. Environmentalists have claimed that the administration has not been treating sewage properly, leading to deterioration in the river's water quality. PMC officials said that projects to augment the city's sewage treatment capacity are in the pipeline. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Both COD and BOD indicate the amount of contamination in a water sample. COD is the amount of oxygen required to chemically break down contaminants, while BOD is the amount of oxygen required for biodegradation by microorganisms. High levels of BOD and COD signify a significant presence of organic pollutants. This surge in pollutants can lead to oxygen depletion in water, posing severe risks to aquatic life. As per the ESR, COD in the Mutha river was 86.22 mg/l in 2023-24, which increased to 95.27 mg/l in 2024-25. A marginal increase in BOD was also observed, rising to 27.71 mg/l from 27.67 mg/l. The lake water of Pashan saw an increase in BOD from 103.81 mg/l to 115.07 mg/l, while COD decreased marginally from 33.25 mg/l to 32.67 mg/l. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Female Athletes Right Now Undo In Katraj Lake, COD level increased, while BOD decreased. The COD in this lake was 10.20 mg/l. It went up to 10.30 mg/l, while BOD dropped from 33.94 mg/l to 31.14 mg/l. "The civic administration should focuses more on real issues like dealing with sewage treatment. Unfortunately, projects like riverfront development, which are not needed, are being prioritised," said Shailaja Deshpande of Jeevitnadi, an organisation working for conservation of rivers. "A number of projects has been announced but they are getting delayed. The administration should ensure that sewage treatment plants are completed on time. Only then will the problem of untreated sewage discharge be reduced," said Sanjay Lalwani, an environmentalist. The civic areas have 10 STPs and 11 more are planned to be constructed under a special project funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA.) Civic officials said that currently, 477 MLD of sewage is being treated daily. After completion of JICA project by March 2026, the capacity will increase by an additional 396 MLD. Improvement in existing 10 STPs has also been proposed. PMC has approved Rs450 crore to augment the capacity of six sewage treatment plants (STPs). The sewage generated from GBS-affected Sinhagad Road area, and places near Bhairoba Nullah, Narveer Tanajiwadi, Erandwane, Naidu Hospital, and Bopodi would be treated properly after the augmentation of STPs, said officials. The project would be jointly funded by PMC, the state govt, and the central govt's Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). PMC would bear 40% of the project's cost, with the rest shared by the central and state govts. Two out of six STPs would be completely revamped. The current combined treatment capacity of these plants is 362 MLD, which will increase to 461 MLD after augmentation. "A number of sewage treatments plants, including those dedicated to newly merged areas, has been planned. These include construction of STPs, laying of pipelines and allied infrastructure. Once completed, they will increase the treatment capacity of civic areas," said Jagdish Khanore, head of PMC's drainage department. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
For Nipah prevention, learning to live safely with bats is the way forward, say experts
Ever since its first encounter with Nipah virus (NiV) in 2018, when 23 cases were identified in the outbreak, Kerala has reported several rare and random NiV spillover events almost every year. This year, the State reported four cases between May and July and unusually, all of these were primary cases. Of this, three cases were reported within a 30-50 km radius in Palakkad-Malappuram districts within a span of 15 days, but each were random spillover events, with no secondary transmission of infection. The exact bat to human NiV spillover mechanism in Kerala continues to remain elusive, even though, the latest hypothesis proposed by eminent microbiologist and public health expert, T. Jacob John, suggests that the recurrence of rare, randomly distributed spillover events in the State raises the rare possibility of air-borne transmission of NiV. Air-borne transmission possibility Dr. John points out that bats' urination from roosting sites may produce aerosols, especially when droplets of bat excreta mix with dust particles (Viral RNA has been detected in bat urine in many previous studies) Air-borne transmission of NiV is theoretically possible if humans are exposed to aerosols containing viable virus or free virus particles. He suggests exploring air sampling methods for NiV around trees with bat roosts, apart from lab studies. The fact that three of this year's NiV-affected persons were living in houses surrounded by bat roosts with fairly high bat density, also aligns with the possibility that they could have been exposed to bat secretions – directly or as aerosols. Health officials say that there was clear evidence that some disturbing events had preceded the three random Nipah human infections. Dispersion risk 'The local people said that the bat roosts in the affected localities had been there since ages. But recently, there had been some attempts by local people to drive away the bats through the bursting of crackers. Disturbing bat roosts disrupts the ecosystem and increases the spillover risk by causing stress-induced viral shedding in bats and leading to the wider dispersion of infected bats,' an official says. At a recent online interaction with public health experts and scientists in Kerala, Jonathan Epstein, an epidemiologist at EcoHealth Alliance and one who has done extensive research in NiV, reiterated that human behaviour is the primary risk for NiV spillover and that viral shedding and NiV outbreaks amongst bats do not follow any tight annual or seasonal patterns. Spillovers could result when there is an alignment of increased viral shedding in bats (because of stressful events like threat to habitat, food scarcity, mating or birthing times) and coincidental high-risk human behaviour. 'Bats have a vital role in the environment and rather than trying to remove them from the landscape, it is human behaviour that has to be modified so that there are minimal human-bat interactions. Going forward, the most plausible, evidence-based way to prevent random Nipah spillovers is by 'learning to live safely with bats', says R. Aravind, Head of Infectious Diseases, Govt Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. Monitoring bat colonies This involves protecting natural habitats, reducing high-risk human behaviours through public education, regular bat colony monitoring, strengthening surveillance and rapid outbreak response capabilities, all of which had been encapsulated in the Zero Nipah campaign that the State had launched in 2019. 'We have already initiated a risk stratification of districts, by mapping bat roosts and studying the bat density in each. Increased bat density, periodic viral shedding, and waning immunity to NiV in bats over time can increase the spillover risk,' a Health official says. 'Educating the public about bat ecology and convincing them that it is their behaviour that has to changed to prevent Nipah, is not going to be an easy task. We are in the process of drawing up IEC messages – which have to be nuanced and focussed – so that people understand how they can reduce their vulnerability through behaviour modification. Kerala has already strengthened AES (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome) through syndromic surveillance, so that early detection and management of Nipah is possible. Tighter infection control practices are being advocated in hospitals, including proper education to healthcare workers that universal precautions such as masking are to be maintained at all times inside hospitals.
