Field Epidemiology and Case Analysis on Nipah Virus Research Library

Lessons from the Nipah virus outbreak in Malaysia

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Lai-Meng LOOI MD, FRCPath, Kaw-Bing CHUA* MD, FRCPath

Year: 2007

Journal: Malaysian J Pathol

Summary#

The Nipah virus outbreak in Malaysia (1998/1999) resulted in 265 cases of acute encephalitis with 105 deaths and caused near total collapse of the billion-dollar pig-farming industry. The paper discusses the epidemiology, clinico-pathophysiology, and pathogenesis of this new disease.

Key Findings#

Nipah virus targeted medium-sized and small blood vessels resulting in endothelial multinucleated syncytia and fibrinoid necrosis.
Autopsies revealed disseminated cerebral microinfarctions resulting from vasculitis-induced thrombosis and direct neuronal involvement.
Nipah virus was discovered in the urine and saliva of Malaysian Island flying foxes, implicating them as natural reservoir hosts.

Methodology#

Study Type: Review
Geographic Focus: Malaysia and Singapore
Time Period: September 1998 to May 1999

Topics#

Epidemiology, Clinical, Virology

Nipah Virus-associated Encephalitis Outbreak, Siliguri, India

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Mandeep S. Chadha, James A. Comer, Luis Lowe, Paul A. Rota, Pierre E. Rollin, William J. Bellini, Thomas G. Ksiazek, Akhilesh C. Mishra

Year: 2001

Journal: Not specified in the text

DOI: Not specified in the text

PMID: Not specified in the text

Summary#

An outbreak of febrile illness associated with altered sensorium was observed in Siliguri, India. Laboratory investigations initially failed to identify an infectious agent, but retrospective analysis detected NiV-specific antibodies and RNA in 9 patients and 5 urine samples respectively.

Encephalitis-predominant Nipah virus outbreaks in Kerala, India during 2024

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Rima R. Sahay, Deepak Y. Patil, Shubin Chenayil, Anita M. Shete, Kannan Sabarinath PS, Sreelekshmy Mohandas, R. Balasubramanian, Satish Gaikwad, Siba S, Arun Thachappully Remesh, Pankaj Singh, Lekshmi S. Rajan, Pragya D. Yadav

Year: 2025

Journal: Journal of Infection and Public Health

Summary#

Two Nipah virus outbreaks in Kerala, India during 2024 were predominantly encephalitis cases with no secondary transmission observed.

Key Findings#

AES-predominant outbreaks in Kerala (2019, 2021, and 2024) had no human-to-human transmission compared to ARDS-predominant outbreaks
Early detection, efficient containment, and improved surveillance were important measures in preventing secondary transmission

Methodology#

Study Type: Short Report
Geographic Focus: Malappuram, Kerala, India
Time Period: 2024 (July and September)

Topics#

Epidemiology, Virology

Nipah Virus Infection Outbreak with Nosocomial and Corpse-to-Human Transmission, Bangladesh

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: M.S. Sazzad, M. Jahangir Hossain, Emily S. Gurley, Kazi M.H. Ameen, Shahana Parveen, M. Saiful Islam, Labib I. Faruque, Goutam Podder, Sultana S. Banu, Michael K. Lo, Pierre E. Rollin, Paul A. Rota, Peter Daszak, Mahmudur Rahman, Stephen P. Luby

Year: 2010

Journal: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal

DOI: 10.3201/eid1902.120971

Summary#

This paper reports an encephalitis cluster and sporadic cases of Nipah virus infection in Faridpur, Bangladesh in January 2010. The study found that 14 out of 16 casepatients died, with transmission occurring through caregivers’ exposure to infected patients’ bodily secretions during care and traditional burial practices.

Outbreak of Henipavirus Infection, Philippines, 2014

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Paola Katrina G. Ching, Vikki Carr de los Reyes, Maria Nemia Sucaldito, Enrique Tayag, Alah Baby Columna-Vingno, Fedelino F. Malbas Jr., Gilbert C. Bolo Jr., James J. Sejvar, Debbie Eagles, Geoffrey Playford, Erica Dueger, Yoshihiro Kaku, Shigeru Morikawa, Makoto Kuroda, Glenn A. Marsh, Sam McCullough, A. Ruth Foxwell

Year: 2014

Journal: Dispatches

DOI: 10.3201/eid2102.141433

Summary#

During 2014, an outbreak of henipavirus infection occurred in southern Philippines among humans and horses, with high fatality rates among humans due to human-to-human and horse-to-human transmission. The likely source of horse infection was fruit bats.

Hendra and Nipah viruses: different and dangerous

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Bryan T. Eaton, Christopher C. Broder, Deborah Middleton, Lin-Fa Wang

Year: 2024

Journal: Nature Reviews Microbiology

DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro1323

Summary#

This paper reviews Hendra and Nipah viruses, highly pathogenic paramyxoviruses that have recently emerged from flying foxes to cause serious disease outbreaks in humans and livestock. The review describes the unique genetic constitution, high virulence, and wide host range of these emerging human pathogens.

Key Findings#

Hendra and Nipah viruses are highly pathogenic paramyxoviruses with a bat origin
They cause serious disease outbreaks in humans and livestock in various locations
Their unique genetic constitution, high virulence, and wide host range set them apart from other paramyxoviruses

Methodology#

Study Type: Review
Geographic Focus: Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh

Topics#

Epidemiology, Virology, Bats

Nipah: The looming post-covid pandemic

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Olivia Sekimoto, Francesco Chiappelli

Year: 2024

Journal: Bioinformation

DOI: 10.6026/973206300200001

Summary#

This paper discusses the potential threat of Nipah virus as a possible post-covid pandemic.

Methodology#

Study Type: Editorial

Topics#

Virology, Epidemiology

Relevance#

This editorial highlights the potential impact and risk of Nipah virus as a post-covid pandemic.

Source#

Download PDF

Nipah virus infection in humans in Kerala, India: Hypothesis of air-borne transmission

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Year: 2025

Journal: Indian J Med Res

DOI: 10.25259/IJMR_2180_2024

Summary#

The paper discusses the potential airborne transmission of Nipah virus (NiV) in Kerala, India based on evidence from studies and outbreaks in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and other regions.

Key Findings#

Nipah virus was first discovered in Malaysia among swineherds and is enzootic in Pteropus bats or flying foxes.
Since 2001, recurrent NiV outbreaks have been reported in India and Bangladesh.
In Malaysia, transmission from pigs to humans occurred through close contact with respiratory secretions.
In Bangladesh, airborne transmission is speculated but not conclusively proven due to low virus concentration in the environment.
Bats in Bangladesh and West Bengal were infected with NiV by or before 2000 winter, and the territory of bat infection seems to have expanded to Kerala.

Methodology#

Study Type: Perspective
Geographic Focus: [‘Kerala, India’, ‘Malaysia’, ‘Bangladesh’]
Time Period: 1998-2025

Topics#

Nipah virus, Epidemiology, Virology, Policy

Response of the health system in Nipah outbreak in Ernakulam district: A qualitative analysis

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Vishnu B. Menon, Leyanna Susan George

Year: 2021

Journal: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care

DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_801_21

Summary#

This study qualitatively analyzes the response of the health system in Kerala to control the Nipah outbreak (2019) by identifying enabling factors and challenges faced.

Key Findings#

Effective communication, good line of control, effective division of work, intersectorial coordination, strong leadership, political commitment, resilient public private partnership and support groups, past experiences in disaster management, quick procurement of medicines and availability of lab facilities as major enablers.
Initial confusions, lack of standard operating procedures/guidelines for epidemic management, complacency, lack of effective zoonotic surveillance, media management and community participation as challenges.

Methodology#

Study Type: Qualitative
Geographic Focus: Ernakulam district, Kerala, India
Time Period: 2019

Topics#

Nipah virus, Health system, Outbreak

Sero-prevalence of Nipah antibodies among close contacts of the index case during 2019 Ernakulam outbreak

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Reshmi Ramachandran, Merin S. Jose, Rima R. Sahay, Anita Shete

Year: 2022

Journal: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care

DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1731_21

Summary#

This paper investigates subclinical or asymptomatic Nipah infection amongst the close contacts of an index case in the 2019 Ernakulam outbreak by testing for NiV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies. None of the 49 contacts tested positive.

Key Findings#

None of the 49 contacts tested positive for anti-NiV human IgM and IgG antibodies.
There were no subclinical cases amongst the close contacts of Nipah index case during the 2019 Kerala outbreak.

Methodology#

Study Type: Observational
Sample Size: 49 close contacts
Geographic Focus: Ernakulam district, Kerala, India
Time Period: 2019

Topics#

Nipah virus, Asymptomatic infection, IgM and IgG antibodies

Dissecting an Outbreak: A Clinico-epidemiological Study of Nipah Virus Infection in Kerala, India, 2018

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Bhargavan Pallivalappil, Althaf Ali, NK Thulaseedharan, Ummer Karadan, Jayakrishnan Chellenton, KP Dipu, AS Anoop Kumar, KG Sajeeth Kumar, TP Rajagopal, KP Suraj, GR Santosh Kumar, RN Supreeth, Mounika Yelisetti, Prathap Reddy Muthyala, KS Aryasree, KS Apurva Rao

Year: 2018

Journal: Not specified in the text

DOI: Not specified in the text

PMID: Not specified in the text

Summary#

This paper describes the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of a Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, India in May 2018. It identifies that out of 23 patients with Nipah virus infection, 91.3% expired, with common features including fever, altered sensorium, tachycardia, hypertension, and shortness of breath.

Nipah Virus Outbreak in Kerala State, India Amidst of COVID-19 Pandemic

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Pragya D. Yadav, Rima R. Sahay, Anukumar Balakrishnan, Sreelekshmy Mohandas, Chandni Radhakrishnan, Mangesh D. Gokhale, R. Balasubramanian, Priya Abraham, Nivedita Gupta, A. P. Sugunan, Rajan Khobragade, Kalpana George, Anita Shete, Savita Patil, Ullas Padinjaremattathil Thankappan, Hitesh Dighe, Jijo Koshy, Vivek Vijay, R. Gayathri, P. Jayesh Kumar, Asma Rahim, A. Naveen, Sarala Nair, V. R. Rajendran, V. Jayasree, Triparna Majumdar, Rajlaxmi Jain, Prasanth Viswanathan, Deepak Y. Patil, Abhinendra Kumar, Dimpal A. Nyayanit, Prasad Sarkale, Ashwini Waghmare, Shrikant Baradkar, Pranita Gawande, Poonam Bodke, Kaumudi Kalele, Jyoti Yemul, Sachin Dhaigude, Manjunath Holepannawar, Sanjay Gopale, Ganesh Chopade, Shilpa Ray, Priyanka Waghmare, Jitendra Narayan, Basavaraj Mathapati, Manoj Kadam, Abhimanyu Kumar, Annasaheb Suryawanshi, Beena Philomina Jose, Saritha Sivadas, N. P. Akash, T. V. Vimisha, K. V. Keerthi

Outbreak Investigation of Nipah Virus Disease in Kerala, India, 2018

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Govindakarnavar Arunkumar, Radhakrishnan Chandni, Devendra T. Mourya, Sujeet K. Singh, Rajeev Sadanandan, Preeti Sudan, Balram Bhargava

Year: 2018

Journal: The Journal of Infectious Diseases

Summary#

This paper describes the characteristics of a Nipah Virus (NiV) outbreak that occurred in Kerala, India, during May–June 2018. The outbreak resulted in 23 cases, with a case-fatality rate of 91%, and was contained by early laboratory confirmation and a public health response.

Key Findings#

The Nipah Virus (NiV) responsible for this outbreak was closer to the Bangladesh lineage
The median age of cases was 45 years, and 65% were male
The median incubation period was 9.5 days
20 out of 23 cases had respiratory symptoms
Close proximity to a NiV-infected person was a risk factor for infection

Methodology#

Study Type: Outbreak investigation
Sample Size: 23 cases
Geographic Focus: Kerala, India
Time Period: May–June 2018

Topics#

Epidemiology, Virology

Nipah Virus Outbreaks in India: A Comprehensive Update

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Shreya Veggalam, Jayashankar CA, Ojas Balaji, Mansi Thipani Madhu, Mir Hyder Hussain, Shraddha H, Manish GR, Koshy Sam, Snigdha Reddy, Gulam Saidunnisa Begum

Year: 2025

Journal: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.92420

Summary#

This paper reviews the pathophysiology, immune evasion strategies, transmission dynamics, taxonomical position, and structural features of the Nipah virus with a focus on its epidemiology in India.

Key Findings#

The Nipah virus poses a serious threat to public health due to its high pathogenicity and zoonotic transmission potential.
Transmission is strongly associated with fruit bats, and habitat decline increases the likelihood of zoonotic spillovers.
There are no viable treatments or vaccines for NiV, but promising candidate vaccines are being researched.
The paper examines the epidemiology of the virus in India to improve understanding of complex viral risks and public health campaign effects.

Methodology#

Study Type: Review
Geographic Focus: India

Topics#

Epidemiology, Public Health, Infectious Disease

Combatting emerging infectious diseases from Nipah to COVID-19 in Kerala, India

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: K. C. Prajitha, V. Babu, A. Rahul, M. J. Valamparampil, P. R. Sreelakshmi, S. Nair, R. P. Varma

Year: 2023

Journal: Public Health Action

DOI: 10.5588/pha.22.0024

Summary#

The paper explores the perceptions of stakeholders on how Kerala’s decentralized system helped during Nipah virus outbreaks and COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Findings#

Decentralisation enabled effective handling of outbreaks and the pandemic in Kerala
Findings indicate four major themes: decision-making, engagement level, people-centric action, and difficulties

Methodology#

Study Type: Qualitative Descriptive Approach
Sample Size: 7 key informant interviews (KIIs) and 9 in-depth interviews (IDIs)
Geographic Focus: Kerala, India
Time Period: 2018 to 2020

Topics#

Public Health, Decentralization, Nipah Virus, COVID-19

Potential for Person-to-Person Transmission of Henipaviruses: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Sonia T. Hegde, Kyu Han Lee, Ashley Styczynski, Forrest K. Jones, Isabella Gomes, Pritimoy Das, Emily S. Gurley

Year: 2024

Journal: The Journal of Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.xxxx/xxxxx or null (not provided in the text)

PMID: PMID or null (not provided in the text)

Summary#

This study systematically reviews the literature to synthesize evidence about potential person-to-person spread of Henipaviruses, focusing on Nipah virus Bangladesh (NiVB), Hendra virus (HeV), and Nipah virus Malaysia (NiVM).

A short communication of Nipah virus outbreak in India: An urgent rising concern

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Olivier Uwishema, Jack Wellington, Christin Berjaoui, Kamsi Olivia Muoka, Chinyere Vivian Patrick Onyeaka, Helen Onyeaka

Year: 2022

Journal: Annals of Medicine and Surgery

Summary#

This paper discusses the recent re-emergence of Nipah virus (NiV) in India’s Kozhikode district, causing the death of a 12-year-old boy. The authors aim to suggest recommendations to contain and mitigate the severe impact of the virus on affected populations.

Key Findings#

There was a recent re-emergence of Nipah virus in India’s Kozhikode district, causing a death.
The authors aim to suggest recommendations to contain and mitigate the impact of the virus.

Methodology#

Geographic Focus: India’s Kozhikode district
Time Period: September 5, 2021

Topics#

Nipah virus, Outbreak

Transmission of Nipah Virus — 14 Years of Investigations in Bangladesh

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Birgit Nikolay, Henrik Salje, M. Jahangir Hossain, A.K.M. Dawlat Khan, Hossain M.S. Sazzad, Mahmudur Rahman, Peter Daszak, Ute Ströher, Juliet R.C. Pulliam, A. Marm Kilpatrick, Stuart T. Nichol, John D. Klena, Sharmin Sultana, Sayma Afroj, Stephen P. Luby, Simon Cauchemez, Emily S. Gurley

Year: 2019

Journal: New England Journal of Medicine

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1805376

Summary#

This paper investigates person-to-person transmission dynamics of the Nipah virus in Bangladesh over a 14-year period using data from outbreak investigations.

Investigating Rare Risk Factors for Nipah Virus in Bangladesh: 2001–2012

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Sonia T. Hegde, Hossain M. S. Sazzad, M. Jahangir Hossain, Mahbub-Ul Alam, Eben Kenah, Peter Daszak, Pierre Rollin, Mahmudur Rahman, Stephen P. Luby, Emily S. Gurley

Year: 2016

Journal: Ecohealth

DOI: 10.1007/s10393-016-1166-0

Summary#

This paper investigates rare risk factors for Nipah virus in Bangladesh using data from 157 cases and 632 controls surveyed between 2004 and 2012. The study finds that cases were more likely to consume raw date palm sap and have contact with a Nipah case than controls. In-depth interviews revealed misclassification of cases who reported no exposure to date palm sap or contact with another case.

Navigating Nipah virus: Insights, challenges, and recommendations

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Muhammad Hassan Hafeez, Hafsa Ajmal, Amna Nadeem, Shehroze Tabassum, Aymar Akilimali, *

Year: 2025

Journal: New Microbes and New Infections

Summary#

This paper discusses the challenges posed by Nipah virus, a zoonotic pathogen, focusing on its diverse strains, recurrent outbreaks, diagnostic limitations, and the need for therapeutic advancements.

Key Findings#

Nipah virus (NiV) is a biosafety level 4 and category C pathogen belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family and Henipavirus genus
NiV infections range from mild to severe, with an incubation period of 4–14 days and initial symptoms including fever, headache, and respiratory distress
Notably, NiV-MY proves more virulent than NiV-BD, highlighting genotypic variations

Methodology#

Study Type: Mini-Narrative Review

Topics#

Epidemiology, Virology

Structural and functional analysis of the Nipah virus polymerase complex

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Authors: Side Hu, Heesu Kim, Pan Yang, Zishuo Yu, Barbara Ludeke, Shawna Mobilia, Junhua Pan, Margaret Stratton, Yuemin Bian, Rachel Fearns, Jonathan Abraham

Year: 2025

Journal: Cell

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.12.021

Summary#

The paper determines the cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the Nipah virus polymerase complex and performs structural, biophysical, and functional analyses to understand features critical for RNA replication and transcription. The findings could aid in the development of antivirals.

Key Findings#

Cryo-EM structure of the NiV L-P complex determined
Docking studies with an inhibitor clarify mechanisms of intrinsic NiV L resistance
Palm insert, zinc fingers, and P4 extension are critical for NiV L activity
Intrusion loop plays an essential role in RNA replication

Methodology#

Study Type: Structural analysis/Functional analysis

Topics#

Virology, Pharmacology