Nipah virus can spread from animals to people. It is mainly carried by fruit bats, also called flying foxes. People can also get the disease from contact with infected pigs. A major outbreak occurred in pigs in 1998–1999, and people who worked closely with those pigs became infected.
The bats that carry Nipah virus live in Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific. These bats usually don't look sick, even though they carry the virus.
People can become infected through direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or horses, or with their body fluids and organs. Fruit that has been touched or contaminated by bats can also spread Nipah virus. Drinking raw date palm juice or sap is another way people can become infected. An infected person can spread the virus to others through direct contact with body fluids.
Symptoms of Nipah Virus in Animals
In pigs, Nipah virus infection usually occurs when they eat fruit contaminated by bat saliva, urine, or other body fluids. The virus can spread quickly from pig to pig and cause fever, breathing problems, or nervous system problems. Some pigs might show no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the disease.
Symptoms in pigs can include:
fever
strong cough, sometimes called “barking pig syndrome"
trouble breathing or breathing with an open mouth
frothy or blood-stained secretions from the nose
pressing the head against objects
poor balance or trouble walking
muscle spasms
weakness or inability to use the back legs
unusual eye movements
In horses and cats, symptoms are usually more severe and often fatal.
Diagnosis of Nipah Virus in Animals
Diagnosis of Nipah virus is through testing samples from mouth or nose swabs or blood. Genetic tests can identify the virus. During outbreaks, animals are often tested after death, including special tests on their body's organs. People who perform this testing wear full personal protective equipment (PPE).
Treatment of Nipah Virus
There is no specific treatment for Nipah virus in animals or people. In animals, treatment is usually not attempted because of the risk of outbreaks and spread to people.
Some drugs, such as remdesivir, have helped prevent infection in nonhuman primates.
Prevention of Nipah Virus
Quarantine animals infected with Nipah virus.
Euthanize infected animals if needed.
Safely dispose of dead animals with supervision by a health care professional.
Clean and sanitize the entire premises.
Important Zoonotic Points Regarding Nipah Virus
Fruit bats spread Nipah virus, but they don't show symptoms.
The virus spreads easily through contact with infected animals or their body fluids.
There is no specific treatment for Nipah virus in either people or animals.
For More Information
Also see professional content regarding Nipah virus in pigs.
