TITLE:
Nipah Virus Unveiled: A Review Article
AUTHORS:
Munama Magdum, Md. Abir Tazim Chowdhury, Mahmuda Khandaker, Razdip Datta, Md. Naheed Rayhan, Md. Siffat Uddin, Md. Junayed Imam Bhuiyan, Md. Ahaduzzaman, Md. Abdullah Al-Mahammud Kabir, Mohammad Zishan Uddin, Md. Estiak Ullah Sahid, Subrata Saha
KEYWORDS:
Nipah Virus, Zoonotic Pathogen, Outbreaks, Surveillance
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.15 No.3,
March
15,
2024
ABSTRACT: Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly infectious zoonotic pathogen that poses a
significant threat to human and animal health. First identified in Malaysia in
1998, NiV has since caused several outbreaks in Southeast Asia, with sporadic
cases reported in Bangladesh and India. The virus is primarily transmitted to
humans through direct contact with infected animals, primarily fruit bats, or
through the consumption of contaminated fruits and their juices. NiV infection
presents a wide spectrum of clinical features, ranging from mild respiratory
illness to severe encephalitis, with a high case fatality rate. The incubation
period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, during which patients develop fever,
headache, myalgia, and respiratory symptoms such as cough and sore throat. As
the disease progresses, neurological signs become prominent, including altered
consciousness, seizures, and focal deficits. Severe cases may exhibit acute
respiratory distress syndrome and multi organ failure. Laboratory findings
often include lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes.
Diagnosis of NiV infection requires specialized laboratory testing, including
reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serological
assays. Currently, no specific antiviral treatment exists for NiV infection,
and management primarily focuses on supportive care. Prevention and control
strategies encompass public health interventions, surveillance, and raising
awareness among healthcare providers and the general population. The emergence
and re-emergence of NiV highlight the urgent need for continued research,
improved diagnostic capabilities, and the development of effective vaccines and
therapeutics to mitigate the impact of this deadly virus.