Strengthening Public Health Systems to Combat the Rising Threat of Nipah Virus: A Call for Global Preparedness and Response.

Abstract

The chapter explores ways to increase global preparedness as well as reactions to the Nipah virus, which is a devastating zoonotic risk with serious health impacts. The Nipah virus is transmitted through bats and humans and poses major problems due to its high mortality rate, fast spread, and the absence of treatments or vaccines. The chapter argues for a holistic strategy incorporating the One Health framework to address human, animal, and environmental health interdependence. The chapter focuses on key areas to boost readiness, which include creating effective real-time surveillance systems, enhancing medical infrastructure, and accelerating studies on therapeutics and vaccines. The chapter emphasizes the need for efficient risk communication and engagement with the community to control the spread of disease. In addition, the chapter examines the importance of maintaining international health security financing as well as international collaboration to improve the ability to respond and prepare. Through analyzing case studies that have proven successful and policy recommendations, the chapter seeks to offer an outline for the development of robust health systems that are resilient and reduce the effects of the Nipah virus as well as other newly discovered pathogens.