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Scientists who are familiar with this thing have said that the Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR) has organized a successful animal study with the first originally developed monoclonal antibodies (MAB) in the country to treat Nipah virus.
The virus, which is commonly transmitted from fruit bats, has a high mortality rate. Currently, India is importing monoclonal antibodies from Queensland, Australia. They are served intravenously.
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There is no vaccine against the NIPAH virus, which has a mortality rate of 40-70%.
Since 2018, Nipah viruses have been repeated in the country, especially in Kerala.
The last case of the Nipah virus included a 42 -year -old woman from Valancry in the Malappuram district in Kerala. The patient is in a coma and is supported by a fan.
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The virus that causes neurological symptoms, including seizures and inability to think clearly or concentrate, is a significant problem for public health.
“India makes indigenous monoclonal antibodies (MABS) to treat patients with Nipah virus and we have some initial success. In the experiments of small animals, this showed some promising results and protection against virus.
After experiments with small animals, large animal experiments would be carried out, followed by clinical assessments of phases 1, 2 and 3 on humans. Production will follow if these tests are successful.
“Safety and protective efficiency will also be evaluated. It is a very early phase,” the scientist said.
Questions by e-mail by e-mail ICMR and Virology Institute (NIV-Pune) on Tuesday remained unanswered.
NIV-PUNE conducted studies that show that bats are tanks of viruses. NIV PUNE has a full -fledged field unit in Kerala for supervision of Nipah virus.
“Most likely it looks like a unique case because a single case has been detected. So it will be a bat spill. Because mortality is high in bats, it’s very difficult to capture them when they move on,” the scientist said.
The current Indian supply of Australian monoclonal antibodies, imported in 2023, is considered appropriate. As a preventive measure of NIV-Pune, he also deployed these monoclonal antibodies against Keraral.
Experts say community education is the key to fighting the Nipah virus.
“Community education is very important. The bats in bat survives for a longer period of time. During the reproduction period of bats, their saliva also infects, and when sitting on coconut trees or fruit trees, infecting fruit or any other things. When people get into contact with national things.” He, “they said they were getting there,” it became a national way, “,” he became over national people, “he became a national way,” he said in it, “they said they were in it,” “it becomes,” it becomes. Control.
Sterilization of fruit for human consumption is not possible because it is very difficult to find out which of them are infected.
Given the critical time element in the case of the NIPAH virus, ICMR is working on timely detection capabilities.
“There is a capacity for early detection.” Once this is the case, it will be detected immediately and will be contained. So he will not notice the range. ICMR confirmed the test test at the TRUNATE Point to detect NIPAH, which is now used by the government of Keraral. The detection capacity has therefore increased, ”said the above scientist.
“ICMR founded five viral research and diagnostic laboratories in Kerala, which were trained in safe handling practices. They (laboratories) also received diagnostic and laboratory support from NIV PUNE to be able to test and detect and follow the security measures,” the scientist said.
“Nipah has a very high mortality rate if it is not treated. No specific treatment has been approved for NIPAH infection. This is a big step forward because monoclonal antibodies have the potential to neutralize infection and improve results. Tymya Swaminathan, former CEO of ICMR and main scientist for medical organization Be).
Nipah’s first outbreaks in India were reported in 2001 from Siliguri, West Bengal, infected 66 and kill 45. 23 cases and 21 deaths were reported in the 2018 Kerala. In 2019, one case was reported in the district of Ernacula in Kerala, in which the patient survived.
In September 2023 there was another focus in the Kozhikode district, with a total of six cases and two deaths. In July 2024, the Nipah virus was detected in the Malapuram district.
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