Nipah virus: what mode of transmission ? What risk of spread in France ?

The Nipah virus is spreading in India and is worrying the country's health authorities as well as the WHO. Could it be à the origin of a global epidemic?

The Nipah virus is wreaking havoc in India: a 14-year-old boy infected lost his life in July. A situation which is worrying since it is a very dangerous virus: according to the WHO, its rate of morality is between 40 à 75%. The Nipah is classifiedé by the organization as a "priority pathogen", in the same way as Ebola and Covid-19.

Nipah takes its name from the Malaysian village where The first epidemic appeared in 1998, which cost millions of people. life &agrav; more than 100 people. The contamination came from domestic pigs and the authorities then decided to take action. to slaughter more than a million pigs. 

The Nipah virus is transmitted to humans by animals, notably pigs and bats, or by contaminated food. The fruit bat is notably a natural host of this virus. During outbreaks in Bangladesh, consumption of fruits contaminated by the urine or saliva of these bats was the source. ;infection.

How is the transmission ?

Contamination can also occur between humans, cases have been reported. observed among families and caregivers of infected patients. This follows in particular following close and prolonged contact with an infected person and passes through body secretions such as urine, blood, nasal droplets…  Its incubation period is 4 to 4 months. 14 days. To confirm an infection, laboratory tests are possible.

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What symptoms and treatment ?

While there are asymptomatic cases, the virus can also cause fever, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting or respiratory weakness.  These symptoms may be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness and neurological signs indicating acute encephalitis.  If complications occur, the patient may suffer from seizures, brain inflammation or acute respiratory illness.  ;Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 months. 48 hours.

There is currently no vaccine or treatment to combat this virus. However, some are in the clinical trial phase. Radication therefore relies solely on the early detection and slaughter of infected animals and risk. To limit contamination, you must also wash your hands regularly and avoid sharing food or bedding with infected people. Wearing a mask is also recommended.

WHO also provides some recommendations: “To protect humans from infection, it is particularly important to reduce contact with bats and their secretions by adopting rigorous hygiene practices, such as washing fruits and vegetables before consumption, carrying out good hand hygiene after handling or preparing these products”.

Could France be affected? ?

The virus has also been reported in Cambodia, Ghana, Madagascar, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Thailand. Could it therefore arrive in France? ? For the moment, no infections have been reported. detected in Europe. "If it mutated to become more transmissible, çit could & be catastrophic," alert virologist Hervé Fleury with l'Express.

According to a survey by Reuters last year, India affected amp;eacute;e à several times is conducive to the spread of the virus due to its urbanization and deforestation. Animals have then migrated closer to humans. While the risk of spread in Europe remains low, caution must be exercised. "No one is safe… It would not take long for a global crisis to break out due to global travel and trade," explained &a Reuters Pragya Yadav, lead researcher on Nipah virus at the Indian National Institute of Virology.