S. M. M. MUSABBIR UDDIN

We all know that, Nipah Virus is epidemic in winter in recent few years in Bangladesh. But some people don't know the severity of this disease. It causes major damage to our body especially in Brain. But fact is it is now outbreak in our country. Government is also trying to prevent this particular disease. But people can't get this information. We should know and aware of this disease.

Introduction:

Nipah Virus is a bat borne disease and one kind of communicable disease. It's scientific name Nipah henipavirus. Nipah Virus (NiV) was first discovered in 1999 in following outbreak in Singapore and Malaysia. It causes 300 human cases and more than 100 deaths. To control the outbreak, it also killed more than 1 million pigs.

Transmission:

Nipah Virus can be infected through:
1) Direct contact with infected animal such as pigs, bats etc.
2) Consuming food product that have been contaminated by body fluid of infected animal.

Sign & Symptoms:

Incubation Period of Nipah Virus (NiV) 4 to 14 days. After that initial symptoms arise. Those symptoms are:
• Fever
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Vomiting
• Myalgia (muscle pain)

Sometimes it can be serious issue if the patient can't get proper treatment. It causes serious respiratory failure. Moreover, it also causes acute encephalitis and that leads to coma. Sometimes patient can be dead in this viral infection.

Investigation: During early stage of this illness, laboratory test can be conducted by using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) from nasal and throat swabs. But early diagnosis of Nipah Virus (NiV) can be challenging due to the non specific early symptoms of the illness.

Treatment:

Treatment is limited to supportive case. For example: Rest, Hydration etc.

In some cases, we need immunotherapeutic treatment. The fatality of this virus is 40% to 75%. But those who survive from acute enechaplitis, they can make a full recovery.

Prevention:

• Avoid contact with sick bats and pigs.
• In Bangladesh, we love to drink raw date syrup and eat raw fruit from trees. Please avoid it because it can be contaminated by Nipah Virus (NiV)

Moreover, there is a vaccine for Nipah Virus (NiV) called PHV02. This is live attenuated vaccine. This vaccine not only cure the Nipah Virus (NiV) but also withstand the Ebola Virus.

The writer is a Student Universal Medical College