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

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

Relevance

This paper contributes to our understanding of Nipah virus outbreaks in South India and emphasizes the importance of early detection and public health response.

Source

View the entire paper: File:OBI Nipah 2018 Arunkumar et al..pdf