Nipah Virus

Question 1

Samir says question comes up in exam. specific question unknown

What virus is it closely related to?

Answer 1

Paramyxovirus

Genus - Henipavirus

Hendra virus and Nipah virus are closely related

Question 2

Which countries have had recent outbreaks of Nipah?

Answer 2

Nipah discovered in Malaysia/ Singapore

Recently cases in India, Bangladesh

Question 3

How is Nipah transmitted?

Answer 3

Fruit bats are the main host

Their excreta/saliva can contaminate date palm sap

This can either:
- date palm sap can directly infect humans
- date palm sap can directly infect pigs. Pigs can transmit to humans via excreta/ respiratory secretions. Can also occur with horses
- human-human transmission can occur, but it is unclear how transmissible it is

Question 4

Which animals can be involved commonly in Nipah life cycle?

Answer 4

Bats
Pigs
Horses

pigs/ horses are intermediate hosts

They can develop fever and respiratory disease

Question 5

What are the clinical features of Nipah virus in humans?

Answer 5

fever
cough
SOB
GI symptoms
encephalitis

Question 6

What is the incubation period?

Answer 6

3-14 days

consider if prevent within 14 days of travel to affected area

Question 7

What is the mortality rate?

Answer 7

40-70% if severe symptoms develop

CFR is unclear as it is unknown how many asymtpomatic cotnacts there are

Question 8

What is the treatment for Nipah?

Answer 8

No treatment available

ribavrin is used, but not clear evidence of benefit

favipiravir has been used, but not clear evidence of benefit

Question 9

What are IP&C recommendations for patient with Niaph?

Answer 9

airborne HCID

Use same precatuions as Ebola/ MERS - FFP3/ visor/ gown