Virology: Nipah virus: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Virology: Nipah virus

Sample item

In an endemic region of South Asia, several people develop fever, headache, drowsiness and respiratory distress after one patient drank raw palm sap. Which source is most likely for the index case?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Contamination of the sap by fruit bats

Nipah virus is a paramyxovirus whose natural reservoir is fruit bats of the genus Pteropus. Humans acquire it from bat-contaminated food such as raw date palm sap or fruit, or from infected animals, and then spread it to close contacts. Encephalitis and respiratory disease are major features, and strict infection control is needed.

Option by option

  • A. Contaminated ticks on cattle

    Ticks transmit Kyasanur forest disease and Crimean-Congo fever.

  • B. Contamination of the sap with rodent urine

    Rodents are the source of arenaviruses such as Lassa and not of Nipah.

  • C. Contamination of the sap by fruit bats (correct)

    Correct. Fruit bats contaminate raw sap or fruit with saliva and urine.

  • D. Bite of Aedes mosquitoes breeding in water containers

    Aedes mosquitoes transmit dengue and chikungunya and not Nipah.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is C, Contamination of the sap by fruit bats. Nipah virus is a paramyxovirus whose natural reservoir is fruit bats of the genus Pteropus.

Why is "Contaminated ticks on cattle" not the answer?

Ticks transmit Kyasanur forest disease and Crimean-Congo fever.

Why is "Contamination of the sap with rodent urine" not the answer?

Rodents are the source of arenaviruses such as Lassa and not of Nipah.

Why is "Bite of Aedes mosquitoes breeding in water containers" not the answer?

Aedes mosquitoes transmit dengue and chikungunya and not Nipah.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: Nipah virus in Microbiology. Humans acquire it from bat-contaminated food such as raw date palm sap or fruit, or from infected animals, and then spread it to close contacts. Encephalitis and respiratory disease are major features, and strict infection control is needed.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Virology: Nipah virus?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.