Latest news with #NipahVirus
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Health
- Al Jazeera
What is the Nipah virus and is it spreading in southern India?
On July 12, a new deadly Nipah virus infection was confirmed in a 52-year-old man in the Palakkad district of Kerala, marking the tenth instance of Nipah virus spillover (transmission of the pathogen from animals to humans) in the southern Indian state since 2018. This year alone, Kerala has reported four Nipah cases, including two deaths, all within a 50km (30-mile) radius, on the border of the Malappuram and Palakkad districts. The state remains on high alert, with 675 people under surveillance across five districts. Here is what we know about the Nipah virus, its symptoms and how authorities are containing it. What is the Nipah virus? Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus (a virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans) which causes death in 40 to 75 percent of human infected cases. Alongside the Hendra virus, which is found in Australia, NiV is one of the most notable viruses from the henipavirus genus of the paramyxovirus family, responsible for a range of neurological – often respiratory – diseases in humans and animals. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, ubiquitous across Oceania, South and Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, are natural reservoirs of the virus, meaning the virus naturally lives and reproduces in these mammals without causing them any harm. The spillover of the virus to humans can happen directly or via intermediate hosts such as pigs or horses, which come into contact with humans. What are the symptoms of the Nipah virus? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), human NiV infections range from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory infection, seizures and fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The clinical presentation of NiV infection is neurological, affecting the central nervous system and resulting in acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), characterised by seizures, confusion and loss of consciousness. When the disease advances, it can cause damage to the lungs and can lead to life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The incubation period of the virus is believed to be four to 14 days. Where have there been Nipah virus outbreaks before? The first human NiV infection was recorded in 1998, when pig farmers and butchers from Malaysia and Singapore contracted the virus from infected pigs. The outbreak affected more than 250 individuals and caused more than 100 deaths. There have been subsequent, almost annual outbreaks in Bangladesh since 2001, with human infection traced to the consumption of date palm sap contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats. In 2014, NiV infections in the Philippines were associated with the slaughter of horses and consumption of infected horse meat. India has reported two outbreaks in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007. In 2018, South India reported its first NiV outbreak in Kerala, when 19 confirmed cases led to 17 deaths. Since then, Kerala has reported NiV spillovers almost every year. What has happened in Kerala? Although Kerala has recorded 10 instances of NiV spillover since 2018, only two of them turned into outbreaks with instances of human-to-human spread. 'We are now reporting single cases of Nipah infections rather than a cluster or outbreak like in 2018,' Thekkumkara Surendran Anish, nodal officer at the Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research and Resilience, said. The last six NiV infections in the state have been single-case spillovers with no human-to-human transmission. The recent uptick in recorded cases is down to the strengthened surveillance system in the state, according to Anish. 'Thousands of people die in India every year due to AES or ARDS, [where] we don't know the cause. NiV, in fact, is not a common cause for respiratory and encephalitis syndromes,' he said. 'But in Kerala, because the entire health system is prioritising Nipah, we are detecting more Nipah infections.' At the same time, it is concerning that all four NiV infections in 2025 were reported in a small timeframe within a small area, Anish added. 'Four independent spillover events within a couple of months in a 50km radius suggest a very high presence of infected bats and the virus in the area. 'What it tells us is that in certain geospatial locations in Kerala, there is a high likelihood of Nipah spillovers, primarily because the bats in those localities seem to be highly infectious for a short period during the year.' What is causing the spread of the Nipah virus in Kerala? Unlike in Bangladesh, where there was a dedicated channel for the virus to spill over to humans (contaminated date palm sap), there is no obvious source in Kerala – or, at least, the 'spillover mechanism' so far remains unclear. 'We don't know the exact spillover mechanism, but it seems to be highly sporadic in Kerala. For example, you unknowingly come in contact with an infected bat or its droppings,' Anish said. The commonly accepted cause is spillover from the human consumption of fruits contaminated by bat saliva or urine. However, virological examination of bat-bitten fruits has yielded negative results so far. A new paper by the Indian Council of Medical Research suggests the virus may be airborne. 'Disease-causing microbes have different routes of transmission to reach and infect human hosts,' Thekkekara Jacob John, one of the authors of the paper, and an emeritus professor at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, said. 'One of them is airborne transmission, like in Tuberculosis, whereby microbes float in the air for longer distances and are inhaled far away from the source.' The authors of the paper believe their hypothesis 'accommodates the rare but recurrent spillovers of NiV in Kerala', where there are no mechanical vectors for the virus, such as in Bangladesh or Malaysia. What are the authorities doing to contain the Nipah virus in Kerala? So far, Kerala has been successful in containing the spread of the virus using trace-and-test procedures. Across 10 'spillover events', the case count stands at just 37 infected individuals. The key to this is a strong surveillance system, said Anish. 'When a Nipah case is established, all primary contacts of the patient are immediately traced and monitored under house quarantine. If they test positive for the virus, we immediately start antiviral treatment,' he said. The prophylactic treatment of 'primary contacts' with broad-spectrum antiviral drugs has helped reduce mortality. 'In our experience, if we can treat Nipah early, it can definitely be cured,' Anish said. 'Syndromic surveillance is another crucial aspect, whereby, in hospitals across the state, any patient presenting with AES or ARDS is tested for Nipah,' Anish said. Kerala has been steadily improving its health system. The state now has four labs capable of conducting RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests for detecting active NiV infections. 'It all comes down to political commitment,' Anish said. 'The state ensures that efforts of the entire health system remain focused on Nipah outbreaks.' What is the treatment for Nipah virus? Is there a vaccine in development? The WHO has identified Nipah as a priority disease for its Research and Development Blueprint – a global strategy and preparedness plan for epidemics. The University of Oxford's NiV vaccine, which began in-human trials in January, was granted support from the Priority Medicines (PRIME) scheme of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in June. However, there are no drugs yet available that specifically target NiV infection. Since there are no approved treatment protocols for NiV, and due to the high risk of mortality, doctors have used broad-spectrum antivirals. Ribavirin is the antiviral of choice, as it has been found to be effective against NiV infections in humans on several occasions. During a 2023 outbreak in Kerala, early application of the antiviral Remdesivir resulted in an improved case fatality rate. Monoclonal antibodies (copies of antibodies, created in a laboratory) have also been used to prevent severe disease manifestations in high-risk individuals. How can we avoid zoonotic viruses like the Nipah virus? According to Anish, NiV is a model case study for a 'one health' approach to combating high-threat pathogens. The one health approach recognises the fact that human health is interlinked with the health of animals and the environment. '[One health] is a combination of three things – human health, animal health and environment health,' Anish said. 'You have to tackle all these things to reduce the chances of zoonotic spillovers such as Nipah.' Approximately 60 percent of emerging human pathogens are zoonoses, transmitted from animals to humans. Ecological disruption and the spread of human populations into wildlife habitats are primary causes for the emergence of these zoonotic viruses. Climate change is another growing concern, with rising temperatures attributed to influencing infections, viral load and human-animal interactions.
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Outbreak of ‘brain-swelling' Nipah reaches five after victim's son tests positive for the virus dubbed ‘next pandemic'
The virus belongs to the same family as measles and, like measles, spreads easily between people, making it highly contagious VIRAL THREAT Outbreak of 'brain-swelling' Nipah reaches five after victim's son tests positive for the virus dubbed 'next pandemic' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE son of a man who died from a brain-swelling Nipah virus that inspired the Hollywood blockbuster Contagion has allegedly tested positive. The 32-year-old, who had taken his dad to hospital before he passed away, was already under close watch when he began showing symptoms, according to Onmanorama News. 4 Health workers in 2023 moving a Nipah virus victim's body in Kerala, India. Credit: AFP 4 Bats are natural hosts for Nipah virus Credit: Getty The virus belongs to the same family as measles and, like measles, spreads easily between people, making it highly contagious. It is also extremely lethal, killing more than two-thirds of those infected. This suggests that at least five people are believed to have tested positive in South India this July, mainly in Kerala's Malappuram and Palakkad districts, following the death of an 18-year-old girl in Kerala. Since then, two more women aged 38 and 42, from Malappuram district, have tested positive. The 58-year-old father from Palakkad district has died, Kerala's health minister, Veena George, confirmed on Facebook earlier this week. This raises the death toll to two. Local health authorities have now enforced a 3km lockdown around the young man's home, with all identified contacts asked to stay indoors. A total of 723 people across several districts have been identified as contacts of the five cases. Among them, 17 are undergoing treatment, while results for many are still awaited. The Sun has approached Ms George for confirmation and further details about the most recent case. The infections have raised alarm bells as the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers the virus a priority pathogen with 'serious potential' to drive mass outbreaks. What is Nipah Virus? Earlier this year, the UK Health Security Agency also included Nipah in its list of 24 diseases considered a major threat to public health. Last week, Veena George said there is not yet evidence of human-to-human transmission in the current outbreak. "No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed,' Ms George said Wednesday. 'It could definitely be two separate spillover events.' Nipah is carried by bats, and Kerala is home to more than 40 species. As rapid development and urban sprawl eat into their natural habitats, the animals are coming into closer contact with people, increasing the risk of the virus spilling over. The state first saw an outbreak in 2018, when 21 of the 23 people infected died. Since then, smaller clusters of cases have been reported, most recently in 2024. 4 'There could be multiple reasons for regular spillover reports from Kerala. But first and foremost, I think, is the strength of our surveillance system,' Ms George told The Telegraph. 'It should be noted that the presence of the virus has been demonstrated in many parts of the country, but Kerala can identify the human cases.' The 18-year-old victim lived in a house 'near to a very big bat colony', which may explain how she contracted the disease, said Ms George. 'We interviewed the family members extensively, and we are conducting studies to identify the presence of viral RNA and antibodies in bats from the roost,' she added Personality changes and seizures Niaph, which inspired the film Contagion starring Gwyneth Paltrow, is a zoonotic virus. Much like the virus in the film, which centered around a global pandemic, it attacks the brain, and has a fatality rate as high as 75 per cent. 4 Gwyneth Paltrow stars in Contagion, a film inspired by Nipah virus Credit: Alamy Of those who survive it, around 20 per cent are left with long-term neurological conditions, including personality changes or seizure disorders. For comparison, estimates from John Hopkins University dashboard suggest the fatality rate of Covid is just over one per cent. Scientists previously told The Sun that Nipah could 'absolutely be the cause of a new pandemic'. Dr Rebecca Dutch, chair of the University of Kentucky, and a world a leader in the study of viruses, said Nipah virus outbreaks occur periodically and it is 'extremely likely' we will see more. She told us: 'Nipah is one of the viruses that could absolutely be the cause of a new pandemic. Several things about Nipah are very concerning." Outbreaks have previously been reported in Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. An expert weighs in.. By Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious diseases expert Nipah virus is spread to humans usually from fruit bats or livestock that has been infected by fruit bats. At present human to human transmission is very inefficient but can be spread by close contact. So there would need to be a major change in the virus for it to become pandemic. However, the thing that worries me is foodborne transmission. If infected carcasses are exported internationally that could cause a pandemic, though a short lived one. Sometimes symptomless Nipah is typically transmitted to humans from animals such as bats and pigs, through direct contact with bodily fluids like blood or saliva. Humans can also pick up the disease up by eating foods contaminated with urine or saliva from infected animals. They can also pick it up through close contact with people who already have it - but these forms of transmission are much rarer. People infected with the Nipah virus may not display any symptoms at all. But many go on to develop acute respiratory infections, seizures and fatal brain swelling, called encephalitis. Encephalitis and seizures only occur in severe cases and can progress to coma within 24 to 48 hours. It typically takes between four days and two weeks for people to develop symptoms after being infected. However, in some cases it has taken up to 45, WHO noted. Extremely likely to see outbreaks There's currently no approved vaccine to stop Nipah virus infections and no treatment to cure it. However, Oxford scientists have developed the first Nipah vaccine to enter human trials, with early tests now underway. Dr Dutch said: 'Many other viruses in that family (like measles) transmit well between people, so there is concern that a Nipah variant with increased transmission could arise. 'The mortality rate for this virus is between 45 per cent and 75 per cent depending on the outbreak – so this is much higher than Covid-19. "Nipah has been shown to be transmitted through food, as well as via contact with human or animal excretions. 'The incubation period for Nipah can be quite long, and it can be unclear if transmission can occur during this time.' Dr Jonathan Epstein, vice president for science and outreach at the EcoHealth Alliance, explained how they are tracking the Nipah virus and are worried about its potential. He told The Sun: 'We know very little about the genetic variety of Nipah-related viruses in bats, and what we don't want to happen is for a strain to emerge that is more transmissible among people."
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Outbreak of ‘brain-swelling' Nipah reaches five after victim's son tests positive for the virus dubbed ‘next pandemic'
THE son of a man who died from a brain-swelling Nipah virus that inspired the Hollywood blockbuster Contagion has allegedly tested positive. The 32-year-old, who had taken his dad to hospital before he passed away, was already under close watch when he began showing symptoms, according to Onmanorama News. 4 4 The virus belongs to the same family as measles and, like measles, spreads easily between people, making it highly contagious. It is also extremely lethal, killing more than two-thirds of those infected. This suggests that at least five people are believed to have tested positive in South India this July, mainly in Kerala's Malappuram and Palakkad districts, following the death of an 18-year-old girl in Kerala. Since then, two more women aged 38 and 42, from Malappuram district, have tested positive. The 58-year-old father from Palakkad district has died, Kerala's health minister, Veena George, confirmed on Facebook earlier this week. This raises the death toll to two. Local health authorities have now enforced a 3km lockdown around the young man's home, with all identified contacts asked to stay indoors. A total of 723 people across several districts have been identified as contacts of the five cases. Among them, 17 are undergoing treatment, while results for many are still awaited. The Sun has approached Ms George for confirmation and further details about the most recent case. The infections have raised alarm bells as the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers the virus a priority pathogen with 'serious potential' to drive mass outbreaks. What is Nipah Virus? Earlier this year, the UK Health Security Agency also included Nipah in its list of 24 diseases considered a major threat to public health. Last week, Veena George said there is not yet evidence of human-to-human transmission in the current outbreak. "No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed,' Ms George said Wednesday. 'It could definitely be two separate spillover events.' Nipah is carried by bats, and Kerala is home to more than 40 species. As rapid development and urban sprawl eat into their natural habitats, the animals are coming into closer contact with people, increasing the risk of the virus spilling over. The state first saw an outbreak in 2018, when 21 of the 23 people infected died. Since then, smaller clusters of cases have been reported, most recently in 2024. 4 'There could be multiple reasons for regular spillover reports from Kerala. But first and foremost, I think, is the strength of our surveillance system,' Ms George told The Telegraph. 'It should be noted that the presence of the virus has been demonstrated in many parts of the country, but Kerala can identify the human cases.' The 18-year-old victim lived in a house 'near to a very big bat colony', which may explain how she contracted the disease, said Ms George. 'We interviewed the family members extensively, and we are conducting studies to identify the presence of viral RNA and antibodies in bats from the roost,' she added Personality changes and seizures Niaph, which inspired the film Contagion starring Gwyneth Paltrow, is a zoonotic virus. Much like the virus in the film, which centered around a global pandemic, it attacks the brain, and has a fatality rate as high as 75 per cent. Of those who survive it, around 20 per cent are left with long-term neurological conditions, including personality changes or seizure disorders. For comparison, estimates from John Hopkins University dashboard suggest the fatality rate of Covid is just over one per cent. Scientists previously told The Sun that Nipah could 'absolutely be the cause of a new pandemic'. Dr Rebecca Dutch, chair of the University of Kentucky, and a world a leader in the study of viruses, said Nipah virus outbreaks occur periodically and it is 'extremely likely' we will see more. She told us: 'Nipah is one of the viruses that could absolutely be the cause of a new pandemic. Several things about Nipah are very concerning." Outbreaks have previously been reported in Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. An expert weighs in.. By Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious diseases expert Nipah virus is spread to humans usually from fruit bats or livestock that has been infected by fruit bats. At present human to human transmission is very inefficient but can be spread by close contact. So there would need to be a major change in the virus for it to become pandemic. However, the thing that worries me is foodborne transmission. If infected carcasses are exported internationally that could cause a pandemic, though a short lived one. Sometimes symptomless Nipah is typically transmitted to humans from animals such as bats and pigs, through direct contact with bodily fluids like blood or saliva. Humans can also pick up the disease up by eating foods contaminated with urine or saliva from infected animals. They can also pick it up through close contact with people who already have it - but these forms of transmission are much rarer. People infected with the Nipah virus may not display any symptoms at all. But many go on to develop acute respiratory infections, seizures and fatal brain swelling, called encephalitis. Encephalitis and seizures only occur in severe cases and can progress to coma within 24 to 48 hours. It typically takes between four days and two weeks for people to develop symptoms after being infected. However, in some cases it has taken up to 45, WHO noted. Extremely likely to see outbreaks There's currently no approved vaccine to stop Nipah virus infections and no treatment to cure it. However, Oxford scientists have developed the first Nipah vaccine to enter human trials, with early tests now underway. Dr Dutch said: 'Many other viruses in that family (like measles) transmit well between people, so there is concern that a Nipah variant with increased transmission could arise. 'The mortality rate for this virus is between 45 per cent and 75 per cent depending on the outbreak – so this is much higher than Covid-19. "Nipah has been shown to be transmitted through food, as well as via contact with human or animal excretions. 'The incubation period for Nipah can be quite long, and it can be unclear if transmission can occur during this time.' Dr Jonathan Epstein, vice president for science and outreach at the EcoHealth Alliance, explained how they are tracking the Nipah virus and are worried about its potential. He told The Sun: 'We know very little about the genetic variety of Nipah-related viruses in bats, and what we don't want to happen is for a strain to emerge that is more transmissible among people." THE 24 'PRIORITY PATHOGENS' THE UK Health Security Agency has issued a list of the 24 viruses and bacteria that its experts believe pose the biggest threat to people in the UK. Each one is a scientific family, meaning it is an umbrella term that includes and number of more specific - and usually better known - infections. VIRUSES Adenoviruses (mostly cause the common cold) Arenaviruses (e.g. Lassa fever) Calciviruses (e.g. norovirus) Coronaviruses (e.g. Covid-19) Filoviruses (e.g. Ebola, Marburg, Sudan virus) Flaviviruses (e.g. dengue, zika, hepatitis C) Hantaviruses (can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome) Nairoviruses (e.g. Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever) Orthomyxoviruses (e.g. flu) Paramyxoviruses (e.g. Nipah virus) Peribunyaviruses (e.g. oropouche fever) Phenuviruses (e.g. Rift Valley fever) Picornaviruses (e.g. polio) Pneumoviruses (e.g. human metapneumovirus/hMPV) Poxviruses (e.g. mpox) Togaviruses (e.g. Chikungunya) BACTERIA Bacillaceae (e.g. anthrax) Coxiellaceae (e.g. Q fever) Enterobacteria (e.g. plague) Francisellacae (e.g. tularaemia) Moraxellaceae (can cause pneumonia and UTIs) Neisseriaceae (e.g. gonorrhoea) Staphylococcaceae (cause cellulitis, pneumonia) Streptococcaceae (cause meningitis, scarlet fever, septicaemia)
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Nipah virus: Health Department steps up screening along major interstate checkposts in Coimbatore district
The Health Department has stepped up surveillance at major inter-State checkposts in Coimbatore district after a second person from the neighbouring Palakkad district in Kerala tested positive for Nipah virus. Health workers are screening persons entering Coimbatore district from Palakkad through six main checkposts for Nipah virus symptoms, which are similar to that of influenza. Health workers checking temperature of persons entering #Coimbatore district from Kerala at #Walayar check post on Tuesday, July 15, after a second positive case of #NipahVirus was reported in the neighbouring #Palakkad district. @THChennai 📹: @SSivaSaravanan1 # — S. Siva Saravanan (@SSivaSaravanan1) July 15, 2025 The six checkposts, where commuters are screened, are at Gopalapuram in Pollachi north block, Veerappagoundanur in Kinathukadavu block, Walayar in Madukkarai block, Anaikatti in Periyanaickenpalayam block, Pattisalai in Karamadai block and Meenachipuram in Anamalai block. P. Balusamy, Deputy Director of Health Services, said the department started screening at these checkposts after the second positive case of the Nipah virus infection was reported in Palakkad district on July 12. Health workers stationed at these checkposts are using personal protective equipment while screening incoming commuters. They are using infrared thermometers to check the temperature of passengers. District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar is overseeing the screening activities and other preventive measures being taken in the district in the wake of the high alert issued in six districts in Kerala, namely Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Wayanad.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Girl dies from 'brain swelling' virus as health officials rush to contain disease
The 18-year-old was rushed to hospital after testing positive for Nipah Virus. A teenage girl has died from a "brain swelling" virus - causing health officials to rush to contain the disease. The 18-year-old was rushed to hospital after testing positive for Nipah Virus - a highly contagious, lethal disease. It is carried by fruit bats and passed on to humans through their droppings and saliva. It is part of the same family as measles and spreads easily between people. The girl died in hospital on July 1 from the virus. As reported in the Mirror, authorities are desperately trying to trace hundreds of potential contacts, with some already in intensive care. There are 12 currently receiving treatment - with five in intensive care - while dozens more are awaiting their results. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it takes between four and fourteen days for people who come into contact with the virus to display symptoms. In rarer circumstances, it can take up to 45 days. Symptoms can range from a headache to fever, sickness, dizziness, or confusion. Kerala's health minister, Veena George, does not believe there is evidence of human-to-human transmission as the family lived 50 miles apart in Kerala, South India. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: 'No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed. It could definitely be two separate spillover events.' According to WHO, Nipah is a virus with the potential of a pandemic. This is due to the virus being able to transmit from animals to humans and has a fatality rate as high as 75 per cent. Patients who survive the virus are left with long-term neurological conditions. It comes as the University of Oxford is currently conducting phase one testing on its Nipah jab following promising early results. It is the first UK academic institution to gain access to the European Medicines Agency's Prime scheme. Oxford stated that the additional support provided by Prime "has been granted on the basis of compelling preclinical data and preliminary clinical evidence, and will help to accelerate the development and regulatory approval" of the vaccine. In its letter of confirmation to Oxford investigators, the EMA said: "Nipah virus disease in humans is associated with significant morbidity and a high mortality rate and consequent public health impact."
