Pandemic potential of the Nipah virus and public health strategies adopted during outbreaks: Lessons from Kerala, India
T S Anish, Aravind Reghukumar, Chandni Radhakrishnan, Nivedita Gupta, Pragya D. Yadav, Jerin Jose Cherian, Rima R. Sahay, Shubin Chenayil, Anoop Kumar A S, Anitha Puduvail Moorkoth, Ashadevi, Velichapat Ramakrishnan Lathika, Shamsudeen Moideen, Sekhar L. Kuriakose, Kalathil Joseph Reena, Thomas Mathew
Abstract
Kerala, a south Indian state witnessed several outbreaks of Nipah encephalitis since 2018, a zoonotic viral disease with significant pandemic potential. This review highlights the relevance of surveillance and health system preparedness, infection control, early diagnosis and treatment with broad-spectrum antivirals, environmental conservation, and community engagement in mitigating Nipah outbreaks. Additionally, it emphasises the importance of developing new biologicals and anti-viral drugs to combat the disease. The article discusses the available evidence on the spillover mechanisms, genetic attributes of the circulating virus, ecological factors, risk of hospital-based superspreading, treatment outcomes and successful strategies employed in Kerala in response to the recurrent Nipah outbreaks.