Sri Lanka gears up to face potential Nipah virus threat

• The virus is a highly infectious zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and also through human-to-human contact  

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

Sri Lanka has strengthened its preparedness to detect and respond to a potential outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV) with health authorities stepping up surveillance and laboratory readiness amid growing regional concerns.   

The Medical Research Institute (MRI), the country’s premier laboratory, has upgraded its testing capacity with the latest technology to detect the Nipah virus, enabling early identification of suspected cases, according to an informed 

source at MRI.   

Nipah virus is a highly infectious zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and also through human-to-human contact. Fruit bats are known to be the natural 

hosts of the virus.   

The disease was first identified in 1988 during an outbreak in Malaysia and has since caused deadly outbreaks in several countries, including India and Bangladesh.   

Health experts warn that Sri Lanka, with its close human-animal interactions and tropical climate, must remain vigilant against emerging infectious diseases such as Nipah, particularly given the virus’s high fatality rate.   

Furthermore, the case fatality rate of the Nipah virus is estimated to range between 40% and 75%, making it one of the most lethal viral infections known to affect humans.   

There are currently no specific drugs or vaccines available for treatment, and patients rely mainly on intensive supportive care, medical experts say.   

Meanwhile, infected people initially develop symptoms including fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting, and sore throat. This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis.   

Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and fits occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.