KOMPAS.com – Nipah virus (NiV) was first discovered in 1999 after the virus caused an outbreak of disease in pigs and humans in Malaysia and Singapore.
This outbreak resulted in nearly 300 human cases and more than 100 deaths, and had a major economic impact.
Nipah virus is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus. This is a zoonotic virus, meaning it initially spread between animals and humans.
The animals that host the Nipah virus are fruit bats (genus Pteropus), which is also known as the flying fox. Once this virus spreads to humans, the spread of the Nipah virus from person to person can also occur.
Also read: How is the Nipah Virus transmitted between humans?
Nipah virus infection can cause mild to severe illness, including brain swelling (encephalitis) and potentially death.
Symptoms of Nipah virus infection usually appear within 4-14 days after exposure to the virus. The illness initially presents as fever and headache lasting 3-14 days, and is often accompanied by symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.
A phase of brain swelling (encephalitis) may occur with symptoms including drowsiness, disorientation, and mental confusion, which can quickly progress to coma within 24-48 hours.
Here are some early symptoms of the Nipah virus that are important to know:
Fever Headache Cough Sore throat Difficulty breathing Vomiting
Also read: Where does the Nipah virus come from?
Severe symptoms that may occur are:
Disorientation, drowsiness, or confusion Seizures Coma Brain swelling (encephalitis)
Death can occur in 40-75% of cases. Additionally, long-term side effects have been found in survivors of Nipah virus infection, including persistent seizures and personality changes.
Infections that cause symptoms and sometimes death long after exposure (known as inactive or latent infections) have also been reported months or even years after exposure to the virus.
Because Nipah virus can be transmitted from person to person, appropriate standard infection control practices are important in preventing infection.
Also read: Is the Nipah Virus that Appeared in India Dangerous?
Here are several steps to prevent transmission of the Nipah virus:
Get into the habit of washing your hands regularly with soap and water. Avoid contact with sick bats or pigs. Avoid areas where bats are present. Avoid eating or drinking products that could be contaminated by bats, such as raw fruit or fruit found on the ground. Avoid contact with people’s blood or body fluids. known to be infected with Nipah
In addition to the steps individuals can take to lower their risk of infection, it is important for scientists, researchers, and at-risk communities to continue studying the Nipah virus to prevent future outbreaks.
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2023-10-02 12:00:00
#Symptoms #Severe #Nipah #Virus
