What is the Mode of Transmission of Nipah virus?

Appeared in: MP CHO-2020

Explanation

The correct answer includes all listed options because Nipah virus (NiV) has multiple transmission pathways.
Fruit bats are the natural reservoir and can transmit the virus to humans directly or through contaminated food like raw date palm sap.
Pigs serve as intermediate or amplifying hosts, capable of spreading the virus to humans through close contact, as seen in the initial Malaysian outbreak.
Human-to-human transmission is also a significant route, occurring through close contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions or other bodily fluids.

Option A: This option is partially correct but incomplete. While bats are the primary natural reservoir of the Nipah virus, they are not the only mode of transmission to humans.
Option B: This option is partially correct but incomplete. Pigs can act as intermediate hosts, amplifying the virus and transmitting it to humans, but this is not the sole transmission route.
Option C: This option is partially correct but incomplete. Human-to-human transmission occurs, especially in healthcare settings and among family members, but it is not the only way the virus spreads.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Modes of transmission for Nipah Virus (NiV), a zoonotic disease as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding all transmission routes is critical for nurses to implement effective infection control measures and break the chain of infection.
Nurses play a key role in public health education, advising communities to avoid consuming raw date palm sap and to report sick animals to prevent spillover events.
In a clinical setting, a nurse's ability to take a thorough travel and exposure history can help in the early identification of a potential Nipah case, triggering appropriate isolation and public health responses.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for the 'Mode of Transmission' of the 'Nipah virus'.
This is a factual recall question based on knowledge of communicable diseases.
Evaluate each option individually. Is transmission from bats possible? Yes. From pigs? Yes. From humans? Yes.
Notice the option 'All of these'. When multiple preceding options are factually correct, this 'all-encompassing' option is often the most complete and correct answer.
Confirm your understanding: Nipah is a zoonotic disease known to spread from its animal reservoir (bats) to intermediate hosts (pigs) and then to humans, as well as spreading between humans.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Modes of transmission for Nipah Virus (NiV), a zoonotic disease.
Stem keywords: Mode of Transmission, Nipah virus
Lead-in keywords: What is

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 146-148

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1571-1573

Practise the full MP CHO-2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.