Nepah viruses: an intractable disease of zoonotic viruses

Abstract

Nipah virus (NIV) is an RNA virus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae and the genus Henipavirus, which includes Hendra virus (HeV). NIV is an emerging bat-borne virus first identified 20 years ago in Malaysia and later reported in South and Southeast Asia. It causes severe neurological and respiratory illnesses, posing significant health risks. As an enveloped RNA virus, it has become a leading cause of encephalitis outbreaks with high mortality rates, particularly in the Indo-Bangladesh region.The virus's zoonotic nature, potential for human-to-human transmission, high fatality rates, and lack of vaccination make it a critical global health issue recognised by the World Health Assembly (WHA). NIV infects host cells through two glycoproteins, G and F. The G protein facilitates attachment to host cell receptors, while the F protein enables fusion of virus-cell membranes for entry.The incubation period for NIV ranges from 4 days to 2 weeks but may extend to 4 weeks. Initial symptoms mimic a common cold, including fever, headache, myalgia, and sore throat, followed by neurological signs like altered consciousness, fatigue, and impaired coordination. Diagnostic methods include PCR, immune histochemistry, virus isolation, antibody detection, ELISA, and serological tests.NIV’s potential to cause severe outbreaks underscores the need for comprehensive surveillance and research to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.