尼帕病毒：挑战公共卫生防线的“隐形杀手”

Core Viewpoint - The recent outbreak of Nipah virus in West Bengal, India, has raised significant global health concerns, with five confirmed cases reported, including one critical patient. Neighboring countries like Thailand and Nepal have intensified preventive measures at airports and border checkpoints [1]. Group 1: Virus Characteristics and History - Nipah virus, known as a "silent killer," has a long incubation period and can infect various animals and humans, posing a severe public health challenge globally [1]. - It belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and is a single-stranded RNA virus, closely related to other Henipaviruses like Hendra virus. The natural host of Nipah virus is fruit bats from the Pteropodidae family [1]. - The virus was first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998, primarily affecting individuals in close contact with infected animals, leading to 265 cases of acute encephalitis and 105 deaths [1][2]. Group 2: Current Situation and Response - The outbreak has spread to neighboring Singapore, with initial misdiagnoses of the disease as African swine fever and Japanese encephalitis. The identification of Nipah virus in patient samples was crucial for controlling the outbreak [2]. - The Indian Council of Medical Research has initiated nationwide bat surveys to better understand the distribution of Nipah virus in the country, detecting antibodies in bats across multiple states [2]. Group 3: Symptoms and Prevention - The incubation period for Nipah virus ranges from 4 to 14 days, with a maximum of 45 days. Symptoms include fever, headache, drowsiness, confusion, and coma, with a mortality rate between 40% and 75% depending on the region's healthcare capabilities [3]. - There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines for Nipah virus infection. The World Health Organization recommends immediate isolation and culling of infected animals in suspected outbreak areas to reduce human infection risks [3]. Group 4: Ongoing Research and Collaboration - The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations is actively promoting measures for Nipah virus control, diagnosis, and vaccine development, having allocated funds for scientific projects aimed at establishing detection standards and advancing vaccine research [4]. - Collaboration among healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and wildlife experts is essential in investigating emerging infectious diseases, highlighting the impact of environmental mismanagement on zoonotic disease transmission [4].