Akshita Kumar, M.Sc. Biochemistry
A recent study jointly conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology(NIV) detected the presence of antibodies against Nipah virus(NiV) in bats residing in a cave in Mahabaleshwar. The sole purpose of this study was to investigate the spread of the Nipah Virus in Indian bat species.
The Journal of Infection released a study that found potential Nipah virus infection in Rousettus leschenaultii and Pipistrellus pipistrellus bats in Maharashtra, India. Mist nets were used to catch the two bat species. Anaesthetized bats were used to obtain blood, throat, and rectal swab samples on-site.
Anti-NiV IgG antibodies were found in a number of samples after RNA was extracted from them. According to the study, one bat from each of the species R. leschenaultii and P. pipistrellus tested positive for both NiV RNA and anti-NiV IgG antibodies. This is the first report in India of potential NiV infection in R leschenaultii bats, as evidenced by the presence of NiV RNA and anti-NiV IgG antibodies.
History
Four NiV epidemics have occurred in India till date, with case fatality rates ranging from 65 percent to 100 percent. In West Bengal’s Siliguri district, the first NiV epidemic was recorded in 2001, in 2007, the district of Nadia in West Bengal came in second. In 2018, an epidemic in Kerala’s Calicut district claimed the lives of 18 individuals, followed by another outbreak in the state in 2019.
The NiV illness has been recognised as a possible hotspot in Southeast Asian nations and several Indian states. The World Health Organization has classified NiV as one of the top ten priority viruses. There are currently no treatments or vaccinations available for the illness.
Nipah Virus Infection
The Nipah virus is found in fruit bats belonging to the Pteropodidae family. It can be transmitted to people by eating or drinking fruit bat-contaminated food or beverages. The illness can also spread from person to person, with the virus travelling through respiratory secretions and saliva, such as those produced by coughing. This idea is supported by the fact that the majority of infections came from sick individuals who had respiratory issues.
The incubation period on average is 5-14 days but may last up to 45 days in certain extreme cases, which is a long time for an infected individual to unintentionally infect others.
The virus can cause an acute respiratory infection as well as encephalitis (brain infection), which can result in a coma or death. Fever, headaches, myalgia(muscle pain), vomiting, and sore throat are some of the symptoms. Dizziness, drowsiness, and altered awareness may occur as a result. One in every five survivors may acquire seizure disorders and modify their personalities.
Precautions to prevent infection
- Handwashing with soap and water should be done on a regular basis.
- Contact with sick bats or pigs should be avoided.
- Avoid eating fruits that may have been infected by bats.
- Avoid coming into contact with the blood or bodily fluids of somebody who has been infected with NiV.
Future Concern
With the ongoing havoc caused by the Sars CoV-2 virus, this discovery raises concern about the probability of the next pandemic. The study concluded that NiV discovery in P. pipistrellus bats, an insectivorous species, and their participation in viral spread to humans is unlikely. The infection in P. pipistrellus might be due to sharing of a habitat with R. leschenaultia.
Because only a few bats were examined during the current investigation, researchers acknowledged that it was difficult to draw any conclusions. Recurring outbreaks, a high case fatality rate, human-to-human transmission, and a lack of effective vaccines/antivirals are all big concerns in India, according to the report, because bat roosts are frequent in places with large human populations.
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Source:
- https://www.oneindia.com/india/bats-from-mahabaleshwar-cave-found-with-nipah-virus-antibodies-will-it-be-the-next-pandemic-3276868.html
- https://www.downtoearth.org.in/video/wildlife-and-biodiversity/nipah-virus-antibodies-found-in-indian-bats-in-mahabaleshwar-cave-77604#:~:text=Researchers%20have%20found%20the%20presence,from%20a%20cave%20in%20Mahabaleshwar.&text=Researchers%20found%20both%20the%20virus,cent%20to%20100%20per%20cent.
- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/in-bats-in-mahabaleshwar-cave-antibodies-against-nipah-virus-7369608/
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