Explained: What is the rare, brain-damaging virus that is spreading in Kerala?

Kerala the southernmost Indian state has become the epicentre of an alarming development A rare virus with the ability to cause brain damage has been identified in the blood samples of the affected patients With high fatality rates ranging from 40 to 75 percent the outbreak is raising concerns among experts who view it as a potential epidemic riskThe virus is naturally harboured within fruit bats found in South and Southeast Asia Experts have discovered that its transmission to humans is occurring through contact with the animalrsquos bodily fluids Upon acquiring the virus patients experience inflammation of the brain confusion dizziness seizures ndash leading to coma The World Health Organisation WHO lists Nipah as one of its priority pathogens capable of turning into a plagueUnfortunately there is neither a vaccine nor a cure available for this infection Its first outbreak was recorded in Malaysia and Singapore in 1988 informs Dr Mala Kaneria ndash a consultant with Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre Mumbai The virus gets its name from the village where it was first discovered ndash Nipah in MalaysiaTracing the spread of Nipah VirusIt is believed that the genesis of this virus can be traced to the fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family The bats saliva and urine contain viruses which can easily contaminate food or water sources when they feed or roost near them Apart from bats the virus also spreads through other animals like pigs horses and dogs and is also being considered a bioterrorism threat by WHOThe Nipah virus spreads to human bodies primarily through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of food products exposed to saliva or urine from infected bats Humantohuman transmission is also possible through respiratory secretions which is why infected people have to be kept isolated adds Dr P Venkata Krishnan Sr Consultant Internal Medicine Artemis Hospital Gurugram Close contact with other Nipahinfected patients in hospitals without protective equipment is also a leading causeAccording to research conducted by the National Institute of Virology the Nipah virus is spreading among bat populations in nine Indian states and one union territory States like Kerala Tamil Nadu Karnataka Goa Maharashtra Bihar West Bengal Assam Meghalaya and Pondicherry all had antibodies to the Nipah virus shares Dr Shridhar Deshmukh ndash an intensivist with Ruby Hall Clinic MumbaiKerala Health Minister Veena George said that The Indian Council of Medical Research and WHO had conducted studies on the issue to verify the presence of the virus in those nine Indian states She further adds The virus we found in Kerala is identified as Indian Genotype or I Genotype which is similar to the strain found in Bangladesh We have two strains of Nipah Virus one is Malaysian and the other from BangladeshSince May 2018 when Kerala encountered its inaugural Nipah outbreak within Kozhikode district there have been three more Nipah outbreaks including the most recent in late August 2023 It is noteworthy that for reasons still undiscovered three out of the four Nipah outbreaks in Kerala in 2018 2021 and 2023 have exclusively affected Kozhikode district whereas the 2019 outbreak was confined to Ernakulam districtWhy does the Nipah virus keep returning to IndiaDeshmukh attributes the recurring presence of the Nipah virus in India to several factors First the virus is naturally hosted by fruit bats which are widespread in India leading to ongoing opportunities for transmission to other animals and humans through contaminated fruit or direct contactSecond Indias diverse population and extensive livestock farming can facilitate humananimal interactions increasing the risk of viral spillover Additionally challenges in surveillance healthcare infrastructure and public awareness can hinder early detection and containment efforts Climate change and deforestation might also be driving bats into closer contact with humansSigns of infectionAn emerging zoonotic disease it turns conspicuous through ailments like highgrade fever headache and altered cognitive abilities Patients often undergo a range of neurological symptoms including seizures hallucinations and altered consciousnessldquoThe first symptoms can often mimic those of the common cold or flu making it difficult to diagnose early onrdquo observes Dr Samir Garde from the Department of Pulmonology at Global Hospitals in Parel However as the infection progresses patients tend to experience severe symptoms such as dizziness vomiting fatigue cough breathlessness and myalgia pain in musclesAdditionally Nipah virus has a high mortality rate with no specific antiviral treatment available making early detection isolation and supportive care difficult for patient survival informs Deshmukh Therersquos a market failure to protect people from this outbreak Itrsquos not like treating baldness or breast cancer where wealthy people will pay for the product Therersquos no big customer here no incentive to find solutions until it escalatesInitial symptoms could involve one or more of the following1 Fever2 Headaches3 Cough4 Unwell throat5 Trouble breathing6 VomitingSevere signs and symptoms that reflect the presence of infection include1 Bewilderment sleepiness or disorientation2 Seizures3 Coma Encephalitisrelated brain swellingHow does it damage the brainOne of the most devastating effects of the Nipah virus on the human body is its ability to cause encephalitis which is inflammation in the brain tissue resulting in coma or even death When it reaches the human brain the virus mainly targets the central nervous system including certain vital regions of the brainOther regions that get affected include the cerebral cortex thalamus and brainstem The virus invades a crucial structure the brainstem which is responsible for controlling essential functions like breathing heart rate and consciousness This activity disrupts normal brain function leading to neurological symptoms such as confusion drowsiness and seizuresThis neurological damage is a hallmark of Nipah virus infection and contributes to the high morbidity and mortality associated with the disease The virus can also affect other organs and systems in the body but its most devastating impact is on the brain Neurological complications may develop after more than 10 weeks from the initial exposure to the virusBeyond the neurological system the virus attacks the respiratory system as well Once inhaled the virus directly invades lung cells and rapidly replicates causing severe respiratory distress This leads to coughing difficulty breathing and often pneumoniaThe Nipah virus targets multiple organs as it wreaks havoc on the human body It can also affect the cardiovascular gastrointestinal and immune systems potentially causing multiorgan dysfunction It is presumed that a person may remain infectious from the day of onset of symptoms up to 21 daysWho is at risk1 People in close contact with infected animals especially those involved in the pig farming industry are at higher risk2 Healthcare workers caring for Nipah Virusinfected patients are also at risk due to potential nosocomial transmission3 Communities living in regions with known Nipah Virus outbreaks face a higher riskThe Kerala bat population may have developed an endemic form of the Nipah virus opines Deshmukh The practice of drinking fresh toddy or sweet tree sap which may become polluted by diseased bats is another cultural factor cited as a contributing factor to Nipah outbreaksPreventive measures and treatmentThere is no specific antiviral medication that exists for treating the Nipah virus shares Garde Patients with suspected or confirmed Nipah virus infection are usually provided with supportive care to manage their symptoms and complications This may involve measures such as ensuring proper hydration monitoring vital signs providing respiratory support if needed and managing any other issues that arise due to the infectionDeshmukh shares how the healthcare industry can enhance preparedness against the Nipah virusSurveillance Establishing robust surveillance systems for early detectionTraining Training healthcare workers in infection control and case managementVaccine Development Investing in research for vaccines and antiviral treatmentsPublic Awareness Educating the public on preventive measures and the importance of reporting symptoms promptlyIsolation Facilities Ensuring isolation facilities are available to contain outbreaks swiftlyHere are some guidelines to stay protected from the virus1 Practice hand washing regularly with soap and water2 Avoid contact with sick bats or pigs3 Avoid areas where bats are known to roost4 Avoid eating or drinking products that could be contaminated by bats such as raw date palm sap raw fruit or fruit that is found on the ground5 Avoid contact with the blood or body fluids of any person known to be infected with NiV