Nipah Virus Disease

Nipah virus is a disease that can affect both animals and humans.

The virus was first identified in swine and people who worked with them. It has subsequently been identified in dogs, cats, horses and goats.

The fruit bat, also known as the Flying Fox Bat, is the natural host for the virus. This bat is also a natural host for the Hendra virus.

Risk to human health

The risk to Canadians is low as there are no species of fruit bats in Canada. However, people working with swine in Southeast Asia should be aware of the risk.

In humans, the symptoms of Nipah virus resemble influenza and can include:

fever
severe headaches
muscle pain
dizziness; and
vomiting

More serious symptoms affecting the central nervous system include coma, seizures and the inability to breathe. The disease may progress to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis, with a 40% fatality rate.

Signs

Nipah virus affects both the nervous system and the respiratory system. The clinical signs in swine include:

fever
a loud, barking cough
respiratory distress (open mouthed breathing, rapid and laboured respiration)
trembling
muscle spasms
weakness in the hind limbs; and
a lack of coordination

In sows and boars particularly, the following signs can be observed:

agitation
head pressing
increased salivation and nasal discharge
seizures; and
sudden death

Abortions have been reported in affected sows.

The illness can affect 100% of the herd, but mortality is generally less than 5%, except in piglets, where it is higher.

Where it is found

It was first described in Malaysia in 1999, resulting in illness in swine and several associated human fatalities in people who worked closely with the sick pigs. Since 1999, there have been additional human outbreaks in Singapore, Bangladesh and India; the Singapore outbreak is the only 1 linked to swine exposure.

The virus is likely endemic in Southeast Asia, which is the natural habitat of the fruit bat.

Nipah virus has never been found in Canada.

Transmission and spread

There is uncertainty about how the virus is spread in humans and pigs.

The illness and mortality in humans were initially associated with exposure to the excretions and secretions of infected pigs; however more recent outbreaks have occurred without animal illness.

Diagnosis

Testing of lung and brain samples confirms diagnosis in pigs.

Because Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, samples must be collected, handled and transported with appropriate biosecurity precautions.

Treatment

There is no treatment or preventative vaccine currently available.

Protecting Canadian livestock from the Nipah virus disease

We impose strict regulations on the import of animals and animal products from countries where Nipah virus is known to occur. These regulations are enforced through port-of-entry inspections done either by the Canada Border Services Agency or us.

In Canada, Nipah virus is an immediately notifiable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations. Laboratories are required to contact us regarding the suspicion or confirmation of this disease.

Our response to an outbreak of Nipah virus disease

Canada's emergency response strategy in the event of an outbreak of Nipah virus would be to:

eradicate the disease; and
re-establish Canada's disease-free status as quickly as possible

In an effort to eradicate the Nipah virus, we would use its "stamping out" policy, which includes:

the humane destruction of all infected and exposed animals
surveillance and tracing of potentially infected or exposed animals
strict quarantine and animal movement controls to prevent spread
strict decontamination of infected premises; and
zoning to define infected and disease-free areas

Owners whose animals are ordered destroyed may be eligible for compensation.

Canada's National Center for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg is part of an international collaborative effort to study Nipah virus and is working on the development of a rapid diagnostic capability.

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