Md. Babul Hossain, 38, a resident of Manikganj, succumbed to the Nipah virus recently. Just days prior, 27-year-old Lutfar Rahman from the same district died under similar circumstances. Although there was no official confirmation of Nipah virus in Lutfar's case, according to the Upazila Health and Family Planning Center, the situation has sparked panic.

Not only for Manikganj, but it is a matter of concern for Bangladesh, given the vulnerability to this virus in recent years. It is imperative to acquire accurate knowledge about Nipah virus infection and take appropriate action to prevent its spread. To prevent infection, let's understand how the Nipah virus spreads and identify its sources.

What is the Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus, in short NiV, is one of many types of zoonotic viruses. A zoonotic virus refers to a virus that can be transmitted between vertebrates and humans.

While the potential carriers of NiV are numerous, its presence has been observed primarily in pigs and bats. Specifically, the carrier of NiV is fruit bats of the genus Pteropus, commonly known as the flying foxes.

Pteropus is among the largest species of bats globally. They are commonly found in Southeast Asia, India, South Asia, Australia, East Africa, and the Pacific Islands.

How is the Nipah Virus Spread?

The essential genetic material in an animal's body is RNA or ribonucleic acid. NiV primarily infects the entire animal by targeting this RNA. Subsequently, when another animal comes into contact with the infected one, the viral RNA spreads to the healthy animal. The contact can be made through various mediums, such as

- Direct contact with infected animals, such as bat blood, saliva, vomit, or feces, poses a risk.

- Location of palm trees near yards, water wells, agricultural fields, or domestic animal shelters, can enhance the risks of contamination.

- Consumption of food or water contaminated with body fluids of NiV infected animals, such as palm sap and water from wells contaminated by bats, or partially eaten fruits by bats, can also facilitate the transmission of Nipah virus.

- Contact with an NiV infected person, involving exposure to blood, spit, sneezes, vomit, feces, or even respiratory droplets, is another route of Nipah virus transmission. Several incidents in Bangladesh and India proved that NiV is airborne and moderately contagious.

Most Vulnerable Communities to Nipah Virus Outbreaks

While human-to-human transmission was not initially reported, this phenomenon is being increasingly observed, especially in Bangladesh and neighboring countries like India.

Hospital workers caring for patients infected with Nipah virus, family members of patients, and individuals involved in palm juice harvesting are now at the highest risk.

Symptoms of Nipah Virus Infection

Typically, the illness commences with fever and headache, occurring 3 to 14 days post-exposure. This initial phase often includes symptoms such as cough, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. As the illness progresses, patients may experience increasing drowsiness, incoherent behavior, mood changes, disorientated mood, along with neurological issues affecting memory and reasoning.

Patients may exhibit difficulty in pronouncing words clearly or correctly, resembling intoxication. In severe cases, symptoms may escalate to pneumonia, persistent seizures, and inflammation of the brain. In the most critical instances, patients may lapse into a coma within 24 to 48 hours.

The most concerning aspect is that many individuals infected with the Nipah virus do not exhibit any symptoms.

Fatality rates range from 40 to 75 percent among Nipah virus cases. Furthermore, some individuals may experience long-lasting side effects of encephalitis even after recovery.

How to Prevent Nipah Virus Infection

As currently there is no effective treatment for NiV infection, prevention remains the only viable approach to combat this deadly disease. This necessitates adopting certain practices, including:

- Prevent the habitat of bats near home yards, wells, fields, ponds, etc. While building a home or farm, it's advisable to avoid trees or bushes that serve as common habitats for bats.

- Make the habitats, and feeding areas of domestic animals free from bats.

- Develop a habit of frequent handwashing with soap, maintain personal hygiene and clean the homestead and surroundings regularly.

- Individuals involved in the collection and transportation of palm or date juice must maintain hygiene and cleanliness. This includes cleaning the containers used for juice extraction.

- Take appropriate measures to protect the palm or date juice collecting containers from bats during collection.

- Boil the collected raw palm or date juice before consumption.

- Before consumption, thoroughly wash and clean fruits. Follow the process whether the fruit requires peeling or can be eaten without peeling.

- Avoiding consumption of fruits spoiled or partially eaten by bats. Also, avoid eating fruits contaminated by dirt on the ground.

- Avoiding contact with saliva/spit, blood, or other body fluids of individuals with NiV. Healthcare professionals, family members, and home caregivers should always utilize protective equipment such as gowns, medical gloves, safety glasses, and surgical masks. This precaution extends to infected domestic animals as well.

- Promoting awareness of NiV symptoms and preventive measures among high-risk populations.

Summing Up

This article delineates the sources and symptoms of Nipah virus infection. Now, adopting the aforementioned prevention methods will help fortify defenses against NiV attacks. The crux of these measures lies in maintaining a hygienic lifestyle, especially avoiding contact with bat secretions whenever possible. And, creating public awareness on a large scale will impart it a distinctive boost.