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Nipah Virus: All You Need to Know

The recent news of people suspected to present Nipah virus symptoms has set the Kerala health department on red alert. Two people died due to encephalitis which is suspected to be caused by Nipah virus in Kerala. Nipah virus infection can cause moderate to severe illness and can even lead to death if not managed well on time. Hence, it’s important to be aware of the causes, symptoms and prevention of nipah virus disease in India. 

Learn how the Nipah Virus or NiV spreads, the symptoms and its treatment below:

What we know of the Nipah Virus so far:

  1. It is a virus that causes a brain fever, a rare one.
  2. The virus stems from fruit bats and livestock animals, and from human beings as well.

NIpah Virus Symptoms

Symptoms usually show up between 4 to 14 days after being exposed to the virus. At the start, the illness can appear within 3 to 14 days with few or more of the following symptoms-

  1. High fever
  2. Severe Headache
  3. Cough and sore throat
  4. Breathing issues
  5. Disorientation
  6. Confusion
  7. Muscle ache or myalgia
  8. Coma
  9. Seizures
  10. Vomiting

The Nipah Virus features in the WHO 2018 list of viruses that have the potential to create an epidemic or a huge health scare in the world.

History of Nipah Virus

The Nipah Virus was first found in pigs in Kampung Sungai Nipah, in Malaysia in the year 1998.It’s last outbreak in India was in 2018 which was reported to begin from Kerala and several lives were lost.

What is Nipah Virus?

Per the WHO, the NiV aka Nipah Virus disease, is a viral infection, an emerging zoonosis that can be transmitted to human beings who come in contact with infected animals. It is a deadly disease for both humans and animals. Fruit bats are this virus’s natural hosts. These bats belong to the Pteropodidae family of the Pteropus genus.

In 2018, in the case of the Nipah virus in Kerala, the disease was reported to be spreading due to human-to-human transmission. The first reported case of NiV was reported in Siliguri district in the year 2001, of which of the 66 cases reported, 45 people died from the disease.

Transmission of Nipah Virus to Humans

Nipah virus infection can spread to humans by the following means-

  1. Direct contact with infected bats or pigs or their body fluids (such as blood, urine or saliva). Some cases of Nipah virus infection have also been reported among people who climb trees inhabited by infected bats.
  2. Contaminated food products that have been exposed to the body fluids of infected animals. Eg. the sap of a palm tree or fruit contaminated by an infected bat
  3. Direct exposure to a person infected with Nipah virus disease or their body fluids (including nasal or respiratory droplets, urine or blood).

Prevention of Nipah Virus 

Vaccine for Nipah Virus prevention is not available yet. Following measures to reduce the risk of exposure to Nipah virus can help in reducing the spread of the virus in places with active cases-

These simple steps can help protect you and others from getting sick with Nipah virus.

Diagnosis Of Nipah Virus Disease

One or more of the following tests can be advised to check if someone has NiV infection:

Treatment for Nipah Virus in India

The treatment for Nipah Virus focuses on containing the fever and the neurological symptoms. Treatment should not be delayed and suspected patients must be managed under expert supervision.

Also Read: What Causes Fingernails to Split Down the Middle: A Comprehensive Examination of the Causes

In a Nutshell

Nipah virus infection is a serious and potentially deadly disease that demands our attention and vigilance. While outbreaks are relatively rare, understanding the symptoms, preventive measures, and early diagnosis is crucial to curbing its spread and saving lives. Staying informed and taking necessary precautions can help protect ourselves and our communities from this formidable viral threat. 

Ref

https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/symptoms/index.html

https://main.mohfw.gov.in/diseasealerts/nipah-virus-disease-guidelines

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nipah-virus