Nipah virus outbreaks in Bangladesh: a deadly infectious disease

Abstract

During 2001-2011, multidisciplinary teams from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh(icddr,b) identified sporadic cases and 11 outbreaks of Nipah encephalitis. Three outbreaks were detected through sentinel surveillance; others were identified through event-based surveillance. A total of 196 cases of Nipah encephalitis, in outbreaks, clusters and as isolated cases were detected from 20 districts of Bangladesh; out of them 150 (77%) cases died. Drinking raw date palm sap and contact with a case were identified as the major risk factors for acquiring the disease. Combination of surveillance systems and multidisciplinary outbreak investigations can be an effective strategy not only for detection of emerging infectious diseases but also for identification of novel characteristics and risk factors for these diseases in resource-poor settings.

Zoonotic Potential of Emerging Paramyxoviruses

“…The outbreak continued for over six months, and as a result of the transport of infected pigs, spread to more distant regions of Malaysia, and to Singapore, cumulatively causing 265 human cases of encephalitis and 105 fatalities (Chua et al 2000; Paton et al 1999). Following this initial outbreak, NiV re-emerged separately in Bangladesh (Arankalle et al 2011; Hsu et al 2004; Rahman & Chakraborty 2012), and in Siliguri, India (Chadha et al 2006), both during 2001. NiV has subsequently re-emerged almost every year in Bangladesh, with frequent outbreaks also documented in India (Islam et al 2016; Kulkarni et al 2013; Luby et al 2009).…”

Nipah Virus

“…The NiV epidemiology in Bangladesh can be schematically referred to the so called "Nipah belt" (Figure 1), corresponding to northern-central districts of the country where date palm sap collection is also common [39]. Nipah virus outbreaks in Bangladesh are most common during the winter season [39].…”

“…In February 2011, Nipah has become a nightmare in border district Lalmonirhat of northern Bangladesh. The spread of the infection could not be arrested by experts, and death toll of the fatal virus resulted in 17 victims [39]. Between 2011 and 2012, an outbreak of the Nipah virus in northern Bangladesh has killed 30 people, prompting national health warnings against the fatal pathogen spread by fruit bats.…”

Virtual Screening for Identification of Small Lead Compound Inhibitors of Nipah Virus Attachment Glycoprotein

“…Although there is a lack of wholeness of data regarding the infection rate, till March, 2012 an aggregate of 209 human instances Bangladesh were accounted for; 161 (77%) of them died [11]. Since the first NiV outbreak in 2001, the virus caused outbreaks for at least 11 times in Bangladesh during the period 2001-2011 [11,12]. Contact with an infected cow, drinking fresh date.…”

“…NiV outbreaks have occurred on a regular basis in Bangladesh and India, with human case fatality rates approaching 75% [10][11][12]. Although there is a lack of wholeness of data regarding the infection rate, till March, 2012 an aggregate of 209 human instances Bangladesh were accounted for; 161 (77%) of them died [11].…”