Emerging Threat of Nipah Virus: From Bat Reservoirs to Human Health Impacts

Factors like modern medical practices, globalisation, accelerating urbanization and environmental factors have led to the emergence of various new infectious diseases including zoonotic diseases—those that pass from animals to humans. Expansion of these newly emerged infectious diseases having high mortality rates, is the current threat faced by the global community. The Nipah virus, a recently identified zoonotic pathogen transmitted by flying foxes, has been implicated in intermittent outbreaks of encephalitis and respiratory syndrome, characterized by substantial mortality rates. Since its initial detection during the 1998 Malaysian outbreak, this uncommon neuroinvasive viral infection has continued to manifest in diverse global regions. Despite the potential risk of infection affecting approximately one-quarter of the world's population due to the extensive distribution of natural reservoirs, neither approved targeted therapies nor vaccines are currently available, notwithstanding ongoing scientific investigations. Consequently, a thorough examination of this emerging infectious disease is imperative. This review article examines the present landscape of Nipah virus infection and underscores its capacity to evolve into a global health concern. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive analysis of viral transmission dynamics, clinical presentation, diagnostic methodologies, and therapeutic strategies, with particular attention given to preventive measures and infection control protocols.