CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026
CLAT Relevance
• Nipah virus — first outbreak 1998 Malaysia, Kerala outbreaks
• Pteropus bats as natural reservoir hosts
• Case fatality rate: 40-75%
• Zoonotic diseases, One Health approach, spillover events
• Nipah virus — first outbreak 1998 Malaysia, Kerala outbreaks
• Pteropus bats as natural reservoir hosts
• Case fatality rate: 40-75%
• Zoonotic diseases, One Health approach, spillover events
Nipah Virus — Quick Facts
Nipah Virus Profile
• First identified: 1998, Sungai Nipah village, Malaysia
• Family: Paramyxoviridae, Genus Henipavirus
• Natural host: Pteropus fruit bats (flying foxes)
• Case fatality rate: 40-75% (some outbreaks: 50-55%)
• WHO Priority: Listed in R&D Blueprint for epidemic potential
• No approved vaccine or treatment (as of 2026)
• First identified: 1998, Sungai Nipah village, Malaysia
• Family: Paramyxoviridae, Genus Henipavirus
• Natural host: Pteropus fruit bats (flying foxes)
• Case fatality rate: 40-75% (some outbreaks: 50-55%)
• WHO Priority: Listed in R&D Blueprint for epidemic potential
• No approved vaccine or treatment (as of 2026)
Timeline of Outbreaks
- 1998-99, Malaysia: First outbreak; 265 cases, 105 deaths; linked to pig farms near bat habitats
- 2001-15, Bangladesh: Multiple outbreaks; date palm sap contaminated by bats
- 2018, Kerala (Kozhikode): 19 confirmed cases, 17 deaths
- 2019, Kerala (Ernakulam): Single case, contained
- 2021, Kerala: 1 case, 1 death
- 2023, Kerala (Kozhikode): 6 cases, 2 deaths
Bats as Virus Reservoirs
CLAT Angle — Science & Health
Bats are unique mammals — they are the only mammals capable of true flight. Their high body temperature during flight (~40°C) may help them tolerate viruses that would kill other animals. They host 60+ virus species with zoonotic potential.
Bats are unique mammals — they are the only mammals capable of true flight. Their high body temperature during flight (~40°C) may help them tolerate viruses that would kill other animals. They host 60+ virus species with zoonotic potential.
- 60+ virus species hosted by bats, many with pandemic potential
- Why bats? — Long lifespan (20-30 years), colonial roosting (millions together), wide geographic range, unique immune system
- Bat-origin viruses: Nipah, Hendra, Ebola, Marburg, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV (suspected), Rabies
- Bats carry but don’t get sick — their interferon system keeps viruses in check
Spillover Events — How Viruses Jump
- Spillover = when a pathogen jumps from its animal reservoir to infect humans
- Direct contact: handling bats or their droppings (guano)
- Intermediate hosts: pigs (Malaysia 1998), horses (Hendra virus)
- Contaminated food: date palm sap, partially eaten fruit dropped by bats
- Drivers of spillover: deforestation, habitat encroachment, wildlife trade, urbanisation
One Health Approach
- One Health = framework connecting human, animal, and environmental health
- Recognised by WHO, FAO, OIE (WOAH), UNEP
- 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin
- India’s National One Health Programme launched to coordinate response
- Requires multi-sectoral collaboration: health ministry, veterinary services, forest department, environmental agencies
India’s Preparedness
- ICMR — maintains Nipah virus diagnostic capability
- National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune — BSL-4 lab for high-risk pathogens
- Kerala model: rapid contact tracing, quarantine, community surveillance
- Gaps: limited BSL-4 labs, healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, wildlife surveillance
Key Terms for CLAT
- Zoonotic disease — Disease transmitted from animals to humans
- Reservoir host — Animal that harbours pathogen without getting sick
- Spillover event — Pathogen jumping from animal to human
- One Health — Integrated human-animal-environment health approach
- Paramyxoviridae — Virus family including Nipah, measles, mumps
Source: UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express — March 2026
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding with these 10 MCQs:
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