First Nipah Virus International Conference focuses global attention on Nipah solutions and threats

A joint effort by Duke-NUS Medical School and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has built The Nipah Virus International Conference for experts and health stakeholders to address the threat of Nipah virus collaboratively.

“There are currently no specific drugs or vaccines for Nipah virus infection, even though the WHO has identified Nipah as a priority disease for the WHO Research and Development Blueprint,” said Professor Wang Linfa, director of Duke-NUS’ Emerging Infectious Diseases Program and co-chairman of the conference’s organizing committee. “Through the conference, we aim to stimulate dialogue between experts and stakeholders to bring about innovative and effective solutions to boost efforts in fighting Nipah virus.”

The conference represents the first of its kind and has a distinctly international focus. In addition to Duke and CEPI, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases are sponsors. Over two days, attendees are reviewing past Nipah outbreaks, addressing developments in diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics, as well as building networks to make use of them. Clinicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health experts have been invited to take part.

Nipah virus was first discovered in 1999, but since then, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified it as an epidemic threat in need of prioritization. Driven by pigs and bats, it is capable of spreading from animals to humans, person to person, and contaminated food. Over the decades, it has hit Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, and India, with mortality rates between 40 and 90 percent. According to Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, the world is not adequately prepared for it.

“Outbreaks of Nipah virus have so far been confined to South and Southeast Asia, but the virus has serious epidemic potential because Pteropus fruit bats that carry the virus are found throughout the tropics and sub-tropics, which are home to more than two billion people,” Hatchett said.