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:
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-
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.
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.
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.
Nipah virus infection can spread to humans by the following means-
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.
One or more of the following tests can be advised to check if someone has NiV infection:
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.
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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