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

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.

Key Findings

Cases were 4.9 times more likely to consume raw date palm sap than controls
Cases were 7.3 times more likely to have contact with a Nipah case than controls
In-depth interviews revealed that 21% of cases reporting neither date palm sap consumption nor contact with another case were misclassified

Methodology

Study Type: Risk factor analysis
Sample Size: 157 cases and 632 controls
Geographic Focus: Bangladesh
Time Period: 2004–2012

Topics

Nipah virus, Epidemiology

Relevance

The study highlights the importance of raw date palm sap consumption and person-to-person contact as transmission pathways for Nipah virus in Bangladesh, and emphasizes the need for prevention efforts to interrupt these transmissions.

Source

View the entire paper: File:Nihms825655.pdf