October 20, 2025

Nipah virus

  • An ongoing nationwide survey by the Pune-based Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) has found evidence of the Nipah virus circulation in the bat population across nine states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya) and one Union Territory (Puducherry).
  • India reported its first outbreak in West Bengal’s Siliguri in January-February 2001 with 45 deaths among 66 cases.
  • Nipah Virus (NiV), a zoonotic virus, is a type of RNA virus transmitted in humans through its natural hosts or through direct contact with infected people or contaminated food.
  • Nipah virus causes a highly fatal respiratory and encephalitic infection in humans.
  • Symptoms such as fever, headache, myalgia (pain in the muscles), vomiting, altered sensorium, acute respiratory distress, and convulsions.
  • The Pteropus species of fruit bats, commonly called flying foxes, are the known carriers of the virus.
  • There is no treatment or vaccine available for either people or animals.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

© 2025 Civilstap Himachal Design & Development