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Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: The Wire
Context: India is seeking Australia’s assistance in combating the Nipah virus outbreak, which has claimed 12 lives in the country.
- The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has reached out to the Queensland government in Australia to obtain an antibody developed there for testing its effectiveness in neutralizing the Nipah virus in humans.
- While the antibody has shown promise in vitro (outside the body in artificial conditions), it has not been tested on humans.
- The move aims to generate data on the efficacy of the antibody against the virus, which has a high mortality rate of 50 to 70%.
Currently, there is no specific vaccine or treatment for Nipah virus infection, and the treatment for human cases primarily involves supportive care.
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