Stages of Nipah Virus Symptoms from Day to Day, Usually Start with High Fever

Illustration (Source: orfonline.org)

YOGYAKARTA - Nipah virus was first recognized when it broke out in Malaysia and Singapore in the late 1990s. Since then, sporadic cases have continued to be reported, especially in the South Asian and Southeast Asian regions. The World Health Organization even included this virus in the list of priority diseases that require urgent research and development due to its high mortality rate.

In Indonesia, to date, no cases have been found in humans. The Ministry of Health urges the public to remain vigilant, given the potential for spread due to geographical proximity. Therefore, understanding the symptoms of this virus is important for prevention and early detection.

What is Nipah Virus?

As reported by Health Aspires, the Nipah virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus Henipavirus and the Paramyxoviridae family. The name of the virus is taken from the name of the village where the virus was first isolated, namely the Nipah River in Malaysia.

Nipah virus is a zoonosis, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Its natural reservoir is the fruit bat of the genus Pteropus, which can carry the virus without showing symptoms of illness.

Transmission of the Nipah virus can occur through several pathways. One of them is the consumption of food contaminated with bat saliva or urine, or eating fruits that are partially eaten by infected bats.

In addition, transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals, especially pigs. Farmers, slaughterhouse workers, and veterinarians are at high risk. Meanwhile, human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with respiratory droplets, urine, blood, or other body fluids from an infected person.

What makes the Nipah virus dangerous is its ability to attack various organs of the body. Infections can develop from mild symptoms to severe respiratory distress and fatal brain inflammation. This is the reason why early detection is so crucial to patient safety.

Stages of Nipah Virus Symptoms from Day to Day

After a person is exposed to the Nipah virus, symptoms do not immediately appear. The incubation period (the time from exposure to the onset of symptoms) generally ranges from 4 to 14 days, although in some cases it can be longer.

The initial symptoms of the Nipah virus are usually not specific and are similar to the common flu. Fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and respiratory distress are the most common complaints. At this stage, many people do not realize that these symptoms are related to a serious infection.

Entering the following days, the condition of the patient can deteriorate quickly. Some patients begin to experience respiratory disorders, severe coughing, to atypical pneumonia. At this stage, the virus begins to show its impact on the body.

Next is the encephalitis phase. This stage is the most dangerous phase of the Nipah virus infection. Patients can experience excessive drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, to changes in consciousness. Acute encephalitis or encephalitis often occurs and is the main cause of the high mortality rate.

If not handled properly, neurological symptoms can develop into seizures and brain dysfunction. Many patients experience coma within 24 to 48 hours after severe neurological symptoms appear. At this stage, intensive care is the only effort to save the patient.

If you experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, or respiratory distress, especially after contact with animals or people infected with the Nipah virus, immediately consult the nearest health worker to get medical treatment. Early treatment is very important for safety and preventing potential wider transmission.

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