Convergence of Humans, Bats, Trees, and Culture in Nipah Virus Transmission, Bangladesh

Abstract

Preventing emergence of new zoonotic viruses depends on understanding determinants for human risk. Nipah virus (NiV) is a lethal zoonotic pathogen that has spilled over from bats into human populations, with limited person-to-person transmission. We examined ecologic and human behavioral drivers of geographic variation for risk of NiV infection in Bangladesh. We visited 60 villages during 2011–2013 where cases of infection with NiV were identified and 147 control villages. We compared case villages with control villages for most likely drivers for risk of infection, including number of bats, persons, and date palm sap trees, and human date palm sap consumption behavior. Case villages were similar to control villages in many ways, including number of bats, persons, and date palm sap trees, but had a higher proportion of households in which someone drank sap. Reducing human consumption of sap could reduce virus transmission and risk for emergence of a more highly transmissible NiV strain.

Nipah Virus: Past Outbreaks and Future Containment

“…On identification of an outbreak cluster, villagers were made aware of the cause and were advocated against the raw consumption of the date palm sap. Consumption after boiling the molasses or the sap was advised along with a proper covering of the vessels used for sap collection [68]. Towards controlling the person-to-person spread, caretakers were made aware of the importance of cleaning hands after handling the infected patient and corpse with soap and water, which was mandated.…”

“…Massive culling of pigs as a result of the outbreak lead to poverty and rehabilitation in the areas affected. Similarly, date palm sap consumers, which are major villages in Bangladesh have a high toll of NiV infection periodically [68]. West Bengal and Kerala are among the most literate and socio-economically developed states in India and have contradictorily been reported to have incidences of NiV.…”

A Planetary Health Perspective on Agroforestry in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…103 Date palm agroforestry systems have subsequently become the main driver of Nipah virus epidemics across Bangladesh. 104 These examples from elsewhere provide an indication of potential disease risks due to agroforestry in Sub-Saharan Africa. Human Behavior Agroforestry and changes in agricultural practices are intricately linked with changes in the movement, distribution, and behavior of people.…”

Епідеміологічні Та Клінічні Особливості Nipah-Вірусної Інфекції

“…Такий самий рівень біологічної безпеки (4) мають вірус Ебола, натуральної віспи і кілька інших збудників геморагічних гарячок. CDC також відніс NiV до біоагентів категорії С, третього найвищого пріоритету щодо біологічної загрози [7]. Доступність, простота виробництва і розповсюдження, високий рівень смертності від NiV вказують на можливість його використання як біологічної зброї.…”