Nipah Virus: Understanding Its Zoonotic Potential and Public Health Implications
Chandrani Goswami *
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Sophia Makdoh Gogoi
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Dimpi Choudhury
Zonal Livestock Research, Mandira, Assam, India.
Nayanmoni Konwar
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Mizoram, India.
Karabi Phukan
In-vivo Pharmacology, TCG Lifesciences Private Limited, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Manmi Kalita
Department of Livestock Production & Management, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Nipah virus (NiV), a paramyxovirus of the genus Henipavirus, is one of the most significant threats to the overall health of the world population because of its high mortality rate and the possibility of human-to-human transmission. NiV has resulted in repeated and frequent outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, especially in Bangladesh and India, since its first outbreak in Malaysia in the 1998-1999 pandemic. Pteropus fruit bats is the natural reservoir, and individuals become infected by the means of contaminated food sources, intermediate amplifying hosts, such as pigs, or through direct contact. Clinical presentation involve acute respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis and are usually accompanied by long-term neurological sequelae in survivors. Without licensed vaccine or specific antiviral drugs; early detection, surveillance, and prevention play a critical role. This review provides an overview of the existing knowledge about NiV epidemiology, transmission modes, reservoir ecology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and new therapeutic advances, with the need of a One Health approach in mitigating the risk of spillover and enhancing outbreak preparedness.
Keywords: Nipah virus, zoonosis, one health, public health