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Environmental Microbiology (EM)  |  Microbial Ecology and Diversity

Microbiol. Biotechnol. Lett. 2024; 52(3): 221-232

https://doi.org/10.48022/mbl.2404.04012

Received: April 26, 2024; Revised: July 12, 2024; Accepted: July 15, 2024

NIPAH Virus - “A Bane to Mankind”

Jaiganeshan Muttiah Velmurugan and Lakshmi Krishnasamy*

Department of Microbiology, Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamilnadu 600044, India

Correspondence to :
Lakshmi Krishnasamy, laksh45@gmail.com

Zoonotic diseases are rare but the transmission of disease to humans may cause serious illness. Nipah virus (NiV) is a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen, which can cause severe encephalitis and respiratory distress. The transmission of Nipah virus from bats to humans was first reported in Malaysia in 1998. Different strains of NiV show different epidemiological and clinical features. Few of the strains are highly lethal and can spread to the community resulting in a global threat. However, the availability of effective management or prophylactic measures are only limited. Thus, it is essential to contain such outbreaks by implementing proper infection control and surveillance measures. Many serological and molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed for diagnosis of this infection. This review mainly focuses on the epidemiology, transmission of Nipah virus, pathogenesis and management of NiV infection. The review also throws light on the immune response of NiV in humans and the role of One Health approach in prevention and control of NiV infection.

Keywords: Nipah virus, zoonotic disease, pathogenesis, immune response

Graphical Abstract


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