What is Nipah?

Nipah, also known as NiV is a zoonotic virus: it can be transferred between animals and humans. The animal host reservoir is the fruit bat. Infected members of this species transmit the virus to humans and other animals most notably, pigs, but other domesticated animals as well. Nipah raises concern for a global pandemic, since once it has infected humans, it can pass from one to another, spreading quickly. The death rate of the virus is estimated to be between 40% and 75%, depending on the region in which the outbreak takes place; depending on their local capabilities for epidemiological surveillance and clinical management.

Countries prone to Nipah

Nipah was first discovered in 1999, during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore, when it resulted in 300 cases in humans, 100 of which died. Over a million pigs were killed to control the spread.

Though Nipah has not reportedly infected Malaysia and Singapore since 1999, yearly outbreaks of the virus plague certain parts of Asia, mostly Bangladesh and India. Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh and India are the only countries to have been subject to outbreaks of Nipah, though fruit bats are also present in other countries, leaving them susceptible to the virus as well.

These countries include: Australia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

Transmission as a zoonotic disease

Nipah originated from the species of fruit bat, genus pteropus, also known as flying foxes. The virus was transmitted first to pigs and then to humans. Nipah streads to people in the following three ways:

Through direct contact with infected animals or their body fluids (blood, urine or saliva)
Consuming food products that have been contaminated by body fluids of infected animals
Close contact with a person infected with NiV or their body fluids (including nasal or respiratory droplets, urine, or blood)

The yearly outbreaks in Bangladesh and India are most likely caused by consumption of fruit or fruit products that are contaminated with bodily fluids from infected fruit bats. The virus spreads through person to person transmission, usually in healthcare facilities where workers are in close contact with infected patients.