Risk factors for Nipah virus encephalitis in Bangladesh

  • Joel M. Montgomery
  • , Mohamed J. Hossain
  • , E. Gurley
  • , D. S. Carroll
  • , A. Croisier
  • , E. Bertherat
  • , N. Asgari
  • , P. Formenty
  • , N. Keeler
  • , J. Comer
  • , M. R. Bell
  • , K. Akram
  • , A. R. Molla
  • , K. Zaman
  • , Mohamed R. Islam
  • , K. Wagoner
  • , J. N. Mills
  • , P. E. Rollin
  • , T. G. Ksiazek
  • , R. F. Breiman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nipah virus (NiV) is a paramyxovirus that causes severe encephalitis in humans. During January 2004, twelve patients with NiV encephalitis (NiVE) were identified in west-central Bangladesh. A case-control study was conducted to identify factors associated with NiV infection. NiVE patients from the outbreak were enrolled in a matched case-control study. Exact odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using a matched analysis. Climbing trees (83% of cases vs. 51% of controls, OR 8.2, 95% CI 1.25-∞) and contact with another NiVE patient (67% of cases vs. 9% of controls, OR 21.4, 95% CI 2.78-966.1) were associated with infection. We did not identify an increased risk for NiV infection among persons who had contact with a potential intermediate host. Although we cannot rule out person-to-person transmission, case-patients were likely infected from contact with fruit bats or their secretions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1526-1532
Number of pages7
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume14
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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