Abstract

The ongoing re-emerging Nipah Virus (NiV) outbreak represents serious public and global health concern with 12 deaths including 3 laboratories confirmed, and over 25 suspected cases in Kozhikode district, Southwest coast of India. Overall, more than 100 deaths out of over 600 reported human cases have been reported since 1998 mainly in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore and elsewhere. Fostering R&D and operational research priority on NiV and risk factors mapping in forecasting and modelling in improving further R&D investment for better communities’ preparedness and similar to Ebola and SARS viruses’ outbreaks threats and consequences. NiV outbreak R&D roadmap leadership and investment is crucial to ensure availability of diagnostic tools, accurate and timely safe drugs NiV/HeV infection or vaccine for scale immunization in endemic areas in addition to community awareness and training, health education and resilience programs is vital to increase the likelihood and sustainable development.

Keywords:Nipah virus; Outbreak; Roadmap; R&D; Vaccine, Alertness; Capacity building India; Bangladesh; Malaysia; Singapore