CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026
CLAT Relevance
Key points for GK section: Nipah virus origin (Malaysia, 1998), reservoir host (fruit bats), Kerala outbreaks, fatality rate (40-75%), zoonotic disease definition — frequently tested in CLAT GK.
Key points for GK section: Nipah virus origin (Malaysia, 1998), reservoir host (fruit bats), Kerala outbreaks, fatality rate (40-75%), zoonotic disease definition — frequently tested in CLAT GK.
What Are Zoonotic Diseases?
- Zoonotic diseases = diseases that transfer from animals to humans
- 75% of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin
- Examples: Nipah, Ebola, COVID-19, SARS, MERS, Rabies, Avian Flu, Zika
- Spillover event = when a virus jumps from animal host to humans
- Key drivers: deforestation, urbanisation, wildlife trade, climate change
Key Fact: Bats are reservoir hosts for over 200 virus species, including coronaviruses, Nipah, Ebola, and rabies. They are the second-largest order of mammals after rodents.
Why Bats Are Unique Disease Reservoirs
- Only mammals capable of sustained flight — enables wide geographic virus dispersal
- Unique immune system: Can carry viruses without falling sick (asymptomatic carriers)
- High metabolic rate during flight — generates fever-like body temperatures, selecting for heat-resistant viruses
- Roosting behaviour: Large colonies (thousands) in caves — ideal for virus transmission
- Long lifespan for their size — 20-30 years — allows sustained virus carriage
- Host to coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, filoviruses, lyssaviruses
Nipah Virus — Key Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| First identified | Malaysia, 1998-99 |
| Named after | Village of Sungai Nipah |
| Virus family | Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus |
| Natural reservoir | Fruit bats (Pteropus) |
| Case fatality rate | 40-75% |
| Transmission | Bat to human, human to human (close contact) |
| Approved vaccine | None (as of 2026) |
| WHO classification | Priority pathogen — R&D Blueprint |
Nipah Outbreaks in India
- Kerala 2018: Kozhikode — 17 deaths out of 18 confirmed cases
- Kerala 2019: Ernakulam — 1 case, contained quickly
- Kerala 2021: Kozhikode — 1 death
- Kerala 2023: Kozhikode — 6 cases, 2 deaths
- All outbreaks linked to fruit bat contamination of fruits/date palm sap
CLAT Angle: Nipah virus questions frequently appear in CLAT GK — focus on: origin (Malaysia 1998), reservoir (Pteropus bats), fatality rate (40-75%), Indian outbreaks (Kerala), family (Paramyxoviridae), and WHO priority pathogen status.
One Health Approach
- One Health = integrated approach linking human health + animal health + environment
- Endorsed by WHO, FAO, OIE (WOAH), and UNEP
- India adopted National One Health Programme in 2022
- Addresses root causes of zoonotic spillovers: deforestation, climate change, wildlife trade
Quick Revision Points
- Zoonotic = animal to human disease transfer
- 75% of emerging diseases are zoonotic
- Nipah: first identified Malaysia, 1998
- Reservoir: Pteropus fruit bats
- Family: Paramyxoviridae
- CFR: 40-75%
- India outbreaks: Kerala (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)
- No approved vaccine or treatment
Source: UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express — March 2026
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