A substantial proportion of survivors of Nipah virus infection experience long-term neurologic deficits and fatigue, according to a study published yesterday in eClinicalMedicine.

Transmitted primarily by consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by infected fruit bats, Nipah virus’ prominent symptoms are acute encephalitis and respiratory disease. Residual neurologic symptoms have been reported by survivors since 1st outbreak of Nipah in Malaysia & Singapore in 1998-99.

Meta-analysis estimated pooled prevalence of total residual neurologic effects at 45% among Nipah encephalitis survivors & 24% among survivors of Nipah virus infection. An estimated 10% of Nipah virus infection survivors experienced late-onset or relapsing neurologic symptoms after initial recovery.