Nipah Virus Encephalitis

HENDRA VIRUS DISEASE and NIPAH VIRUS ENCEPHALITIS... 

What are the signs and symptoms of Hendra virus disease and Nipah virus encephalitis ... 

One of the three Hendra virus infections was marked by a delayed onset of progressive encephalitis. Serious nervous disease with Nipah virus encephalitis has been marked by some sequelae, such as persistent convulsions and personality changes. 

Melioidosis 108 Psittacosis 110 Typhus Fevers 110 Viral Encephalitis 111 Eastern Equine Encephalitis 111 Western Equine Encephalitis 112 Hendra Virus Disease and Nipah Virus Encephalitis 112 Tick-Borne Encephalitis 114 T>T)hoid Fever 115 Shigellosis 117 Foodbome Hineses 121 Salmonellosis 131 Cholera 135... 

Another recent example of a zoonose infection is the Nipah virus, named after the town in Malaysia where its first known victim lived. The animal vector of this disease has been identified as several species of bats. The Nipah virus has destroyed Malaysia s pig industry and it killed 105 people in 1999. The virus produces a severe fonn of encephalitis, and about 40% of infected individuals die. 

Suggested Alternatives for Differential Diagnosis Other forms of encephalitis (e.g., California, Eastern Equine, St Louis, West Nile, Murray Valley), malaria, dengue fever, meningitis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, enteroviruses, herpes simplex, and Nipah virus. 

Signs and Symptoms Flu-like symptoms with fever, headache, drowsiness, cough, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, problems with swallowing, and blurred vision that may progress to encephalitis with drowsiness, disorientation, severe hypertension, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), very high temperature, convulsions, and coma. Encephalitis may be delayed up to 4 months postexposure. Nipah virus is also known to cause relapse encephalitis. 

Nipah virus, also a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, is related but not identical to Hendra virus. Nipah virus was initially isolated in 1999 upon examining samples from an outbreak of encephalitis and respiratoi illness among adult men in Malaysia and Singapore. 

Only three human cases of Hendra virus disease have been recognized. Two of the three individuals known to be infected had a respiratory illness with severe flu-like signs and symptoms. Infection with Nipah virus was associated with an encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) characterized by fever and drowsiness and more serious central nervous system disease, such as coma, seizures, and inability to maintain breathing. 

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