key: cord-0710619-4h7i9lcu
authors: Aborode, Abdullahi T.; Wireko, Andrew A.; Mehta, Aashna; Abdul‐Rahman, Toufik; Nansubuga, Esther P.; Kundu, Mrinmoy; Pustake, Manas; Mehmood, Qasim; Tillewein, H.
title: Concern over Nipah virus cases amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic in India
date: 2022-04-12
journal: J Med Virol
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27745
sha: 568ebc3c0225b2966f5b259b9730cfdcbe4d19ea
doc_id: 710619
cord_uid: 4h7i9lcu

Virus outbreaks have always been a cause of concern for public health. The recent reports of Nipah Virus cases amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is alarming for India. With the pandemic impacting the world, healthcare systems are strained and focused on the strategies to curb the spread of the COVID-19. However, the Nipah virus has high pathogenicity and fatality in humans. It has a rapid mutation rate and spreads through various modes of transmission. If not contained, has the potential to further strain healthcare systems in India. This manuscript aims to highlight an alarming public health concern and recommend policies and interventions to curb the spread of the Nipah Virus by protective measures, early diagnosis, and management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Nipah virus, a member of the paramyxoviridae family, is classified as a "virus of concern" by the World Health Organization (WHO). 1,2 Nipah virus is usually reported in Southeast Asia due to the geographical prevalence of its natural host, the Pteropus fruit bat. 1, 3 It is a zoonotic infection transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or via bodily secretions such as bat blood, saliva, and urine. The virus also demonstrates human-human transmission. 4 Nipah virus infection generally affects the central nervous system in human hosts, causing inflammation of brain parenchyma (encephalitis) and can also cause respiratory symptoms. 3 Initial symptoms include fever, headache, later progressing to drowsiness, altered mental status, coma, and even death. 5 As reported by Kenmoe et al. Nipah virus encephalitis has a pooled case fatality rate of 61%. 6 The current management includes symptomatic treatment due to lack of specific pharmacological treatment for Nipah virus. The Nipah virus has been designated a global epidemic by the WHO due to the high fatality, its highly contagious nature, the potential of human exposure, and the lack of a vaccine. It has also

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Nipah virus edits its P gene at high frequency to express the V and W proteins