Why in the News?
A 42-year-old woman in Kerala tested positive for the Nipah virus on May 8, marking the third case reported from Malappuram district in the past two years.
Why is studying the genetic evolution of Nipah in humans and bats important?
- Understanding Virulence and Transmission Potential: Genetic mutations can influence how severe the disease is and whether it can spread between humans. Eg: The 2018 outbreak in Kerala showed a high fatality rate (17 out of 18 cases), partly attributed to a variant with small but significant differences from the Bangladesh strain.
- Detecting New Strains and Preventing Outbreaks: Regular monitoring of genetic changes in the virus found in bats (natural hosts) helps identify emerging strains before they jump to humans. Eg: Repeated spillovers in Kerala suggest evolving viral dynamics in bat populations.
- Informing Vaccine and Diagnostic Development: Understanding the virus’s genetic structure enables the development of effective diagnostic tools, therapies, and future vaccines. Eg: Without updated genomic data, public health responses may lag behind fast-evolving variants.
Why is it important to share the genetic sequences of the Nipah virus in public databases without delay?
- Enables Global Scientific Collaboration and Rapid Response: Sharing genetic sequences in public databases allows scientists worldwide to study the virus, track mutations, and develop diagnostic tools, treatments, or vaccines more efficiently. Eg: Rapid sharing of SARS-CoV-2 sequences in 2020 helped in the swift development of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Monitors Viral Evolution and Assesses Public Health Risk: Timely sequence sharing helps detect genetic changes that may enhance the virus’s transmissibility or virulence, allowing health authorities to prepare accordingly. Eg: Genetic analysis of the 2018 Nipah strain in Kerala showed variation from the Bangladesh strain, helping researchers understand its unique impact.
How did the 2018/2023 outbreaks differ from the recent case in symptoms and transmission?
| Aspect | 2018/2023 Outbreaks | 2024 Case |
| Clinical Presentation Type | Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) | Relatively milder, with fewer complications |
| Disease Severity | More severe, with multisystem involvement | Relatively milder, with fewer complications |
| Human-to-Human Transmission | Yes, leading to outbreaks | No human-to-human transmission observed yet |
| Viral Load and Spread Potential | High viral load in throat swabs, indicating spread | Lower viral load in AES patients, reducing spread |
| Outcome and Fatality | High fatality rate (17 deaths from 18 cases in 2018) | No deaths reported, with early detection and isolation |
What are the steps taken by the Indian Government?
|
Way forward:
- Establish Permanent Nipah Surveillance Units in High-Risk Areas: Set up dedicated monitoring and response units in regions like Kerala for continuous bat sampling, genomic sequencing, and early detection.
- Promote Transparent Data Sharing and Regional Collaboration: Ensure timely release of viral genomic data in public databases and collaborate with neighbouring countries for joint research and response planning.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system, the Indian State should play a vital role to contain the adverse impact of marketisation of the system. Suggest some measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level.
Linkage: The importance of timely detection and isolation of Nipah cases and mentions different clinical presentations (AES and ARDS), implying the need for diagnostic and clinical management capacity. A robust public healthcare system, particularly at the grassroots level, is essential for effective surveillance, early detection, diagnosis, isolation, and management of infectious disease outbreaks like Nipah, making this question highly relevant.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
