Concern over Nipah virus cases amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in India

Abstract

Nipah virus, a member of the paramyxoviridae family, is classified as a“virus of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO).1,2 Nipahvirus is usually reported in Southeast Asia due to the geographicalprevalence of its natural host, thePteropusfruit bat.1,3It is a zoonoticinfection transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or viabodily secretions such as bat blood, saliva, and urine. The virus alsodemonstrates human–human transmission.4Nipah virus infectiongenerally affects the central nervous system in human hosts, causinginflammation of brain parenchyma (encephalitis) and can also causerespiratory symptoms.3Initial symptoms include fever, headache, later progressing to drowsiness, altered mental status, coma, andeven death.5As reported by Kenmoe et al. Nipah virus encephalitishas a pooled case fatality rate of 61%.6The current managementincludes symptomatic treatment due to lack of specific pharmaco-logical treatment for Nipah virus.