2023-10-03 08:33:19
Indian health authorities confirmed the reappearance of the deadly Nipah virus three months ago. And a couple of weeks ago the Kerala region, in the south of the country, raised the alert due to the death of at least two people from this cause. What do we know about this virus? How is it spread? Is there treatment?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has included the Nipah virus on the list of priority diseases to investigate due to its epidemic potential, along with Ebola or Zika. And according to him European Center for Disease Control (ECDC)the rate of lethality is estimated between 40 and 75% or moredepending on the strain, access to quality of healthcare or the severity of the disease.
It is a virus that is part of “the bad guys in the neighborhood,” he says ironically. the professor of Microbiology at the University of Salamanca Raúl Rivas in statements to EFEsalud.
And it belongs to the BSL 4 pathogen risk group, which is the highest that exists – in which Ebola is included, for example – since it is considered a very dangerous emerging virus, due to the high mortality rate it presents and does not have authorized treatment or vaccine.
Located at specific points
It is located in certain points of the planet, especially in some parts of AsiaHowever, the microbiologist points out that, as we already know from covid, infected travelers who return to their countries or residents in those places who travel to others can leave the continent.
However, the reservoir of the virus is fruit bats – which eat fruit -, the so-called flying foxes, which are in very specific points, and are where outbreaks can occur. These animals are common in India, Bangladesh and some areas of Malaysia, among others.
A street in India. PHOTO EFE/Miguel Gutiérrez
In fact, the latter country was where the Nipah virus became known relatively recently, during an outbreak among pig farmers in 1999. In Bangladesh it was first recognized in 2001, and has suffered almost annual outbreaks since then. according to the WHO.
There are other regions that may be at risk, adds the WHO, as serological evidence of its presence in bats has been found in several countries such as Cambodia, Ghana, the Philippines, Indonesia, Madagascar and Thailand.
How is it transmitted?
It is transmitted through contamination of the fruit or water by the bat that has left its fluidssuch as saliva, feces or urine, and which are consumed by people, especially in street stalls, or by pigs when given as food.
And in those areas, furthermore, “there is a certain predilection for a drink that is date palm juice, which is consumed daily and is collected by bleeding the palm trees. A juice that bats also like, which come at night for it and if they are infected, they deposit the virus through their fluids,” says Rivas, who is also a member of the Spanish Society of Microbiology (SEM).
PHOTO EFE/Orlando Barria
These are the main routes of transmission but there is another, because the Nipah virus tIt can also be spread through direct contact with bodily fluids., both from infected humans and animals. Until now, it is unknown if, in addition to the pig, there may be another animal that acts as a bridge in transmission.
In the latest outbreak in India, in Kerala, that is what is happening, that it is being transmitted between infected people.
Symptoms
There are many cases, indicates Rivas, that occur asymptomatically, but it is normal for symptoms to develop a few days after infection. The initial symptoms are similar to those of the flu, with high fever, body discomfort, which evolve and can also cause seizures.
“Severe cases lead to encephalitis, that is, inflammation of the brain, and there is also usually a predominantly respiratory condition and when they appear they usually present high mortality,” emphasizes the professor of Microbiology.
What treatments are there?
As there are no specific treatments to combat the Nipah virus, those administered are to reduce symptoms.
There are treatments under investigation, as well as vaccines in trial phase clinicianslike the one based on messenger RNAand which is being tested successfully in people between 18 and 60 years old and others are being investigated with genetically modified viruses.
How can it be prevented?
Today the possibility of there being a global pandemic like Covid caused by the Nipah virus “is low”, although its spread “generates concern” due to the lack of tools to combat it although the cases are “fairly high”. located.”
“For now we must continue with caution, with caution and with vigilance. Prevention is also essential.”
In this sense, the professor at the University of Salamanca details that people who travel to these areas of India do so following a series of recommendations.
In fact, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns on its website that “given the recurring incidence of the nipah virus in the Indian state of Kerala, Spaniards who are in the affected areas are recommended to pay attention to the information and indications of local authorities.”
The Ministry adds that you can consult all the information provided by the National Center for Diseases.
Palm tree with dates. PHOTO EFE/Javier otazu
To prevent the virus, people who go to affected areas should avoid drinking date palm juice, also eat fresh fruit and, if they do, wash it very well, as well as not have contact with pigs that may show symptoms of the disease. .
Good handwashing with soap and water is always present in the recommendations, as well as avoiding contact of fluids with people who have symptoms and have been with an infected person.
“They are a series of simple rules that we already know well and that are still valid,” recalls Rivas.
#Nipah #virus #caused #alert #southern #India