Nipah Virus (NiV) Infection: Is Nepal Prepared for the Possible Outbreak?

Authors

  • Dhiraj Shrestha Department of Microbiology, Tri-Chandra Multiple College, Kathmandu
  • Balkrishna Bhattachan Department of Microbiology, Shi-Gan International College of Science and Technology, Kathmandu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/njb.v6i1.22340

Keywords:

Nipah virus, NiV, outbreak, Nepal

Abstract

 After 20 years of the first Nipah Virus (NiV) outbreak in the world, it re-emerged as the outbreak in India. WHO has recognized NiV as a potent epidemic threat to human health. Both animal-to-human and human-to-human transmission of zoonotic NiV has been documented. Fruit bat of Pteropodidae family is the natural reservoir of the virus. Thus, the territorial habitat of these bats is the high risk zone of NiV outbreak. The symptoms are very nonspecific and the pathogenicity of NiV is yet to be fully understood. Diagnosis of NiV infection still relies on molecular techniques. Till date, no drugs or vaccines against NiV has been approved. Some research have presented arrays of the possible treatment and prevention option, but without sure shot implications. So, appropriate precautions are the only currently available prevention option. Nepal is yet to experience a NiV outbreak but that does not undermine the risk posed to the general population. High risk countries including Nepal should be well prepared to tackle the possible outbreak in future.

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Published

2019-01-15

How to Cite

Shrestha, D., & Bhattachan, B. (2019). Nipah Virus (NiV) Infection: Is Nepal Prepared for the Possible Outbreak?. Nepal Journal of Biotechnology, 6(1), 69–73. https://doi.org/10.3126/njb.v6i1.22340

Issue

Section

Review Articles