Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{198927,
        author = {Mrs. Purnima Chakraborty and Prof. Dr P.Ponnarasi},
        title = {Nipah, A Tiny Virus- Big Threat},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {13066-13070},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=198927},
        abstract = {Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic, zoonotic virus belonging to the Henipavirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family, responsible for severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis in humans. First identified during outbreaks among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998–1999, Nipah virus has since caused recurrent outbreaks across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. In India, major outbreaks were reported in West Bengal (2001, 2007) and Kerala (2018, 2025), with high case fatality rates.
Fruit bats (Pteropus species) serve as the natural reservoir, with pigs acting as intermediate hosts. Human infection occurs through contact with infected animals, contaminated food (such as raw date palm sap or fruits), or through person-to-person transmission. The virus demonstrates significant environmental stability under favorable conditions, enhancing its transmission potential. Pathogenesis involves respiratory epithelial invasion, systemic viremia, and neuroinvasion, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), encephalitis, and multiorgan failure.
Clinical manifestations range from mild febrile illness to severe neurological and respiratory disease. Diagnosis relies on high-containment laboratory testing using RT-PCR, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and viral isolation. Currently, no specific antiviral therapy or licensed vaccine exists, and management remains primarily supportive. Preventive strategies, including public awareness, infection control measures, and safe food practices, are essential to reduce transmission and mitigate future outbreaks.},
        keywords = {Nipah virus, Zoonotic infection. Encephalitis, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Outbreak prevention},
        month = {April},
        }