Dr. Kaw Bing Chua discovered the Nipah virus.
A Malaysian virologist from the University of Malaya, he identified it during the 1998-1999 outbreak in Malaysia that killed over 100 people.

Discovery Story

In late 1998, pig farmers in Malaysia's Perak state fell mysteriously ill with encephalitis, initially mistaken for Japanese encephalitis. By March 1999, Dr. Chua isolated the virus from patient cerebrospinal fluid at the University of Malaya. He observed cytopathic effects in Vero cells on March 7, confirmed it as a new paramyxovirus via electron microscopy and immunofluorescence by March 18, and sent samples to the CDC for final sequencing.

Dr. Tan Chong Tin led the investigation team, but credits Dr. Chua for the breakthrough. Their work earned the 2009 Merdeka Award, highlighting its global impact.

Outbreak Context

  • Nipah emerged from fruit bats (Pteropus genus), spilling over via pigs to humans.
  • First outbreak: 265 cases, 105 deaths (40% fatality); culls ended it.
  • Named after Sungai Nipah village.

Later Developments

Subsequent outbreaks hit Bangladesh (2001 onward, often via date palm sap) and India (e.g., Kerala 2018). No human-to-human vaccine yet; WHO lists it as a priority pathogen.

"Final confirmation came within 10 to 12 days and final identification was done in the United States." – Dr. Tan Chong Tin

TL;DR: Dr. Kaw Bing Chua pinpointed Nipah on March 18, 1999, amid Malaysia's deadly pig farm outbreak.

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