India To Procure Nipah Virus Anitibody, Schools Will Be Closed; Here Are The Latest Updates

Nipah virus has since posed a recurring threat to public health in South and Southeast Asia. The Nipah virus outbreak is causing enormous disruption, worry, and concern for everyone in several areas of Kerala, particularly those in Kozhikode. Here are the latest updates:

Kerala Is Battling Nipah Virus

For long, Nipah virus has been an emerging threat that can cause sporadic outbreaks, making it difficult to predict when and where the next outbreak will occur. After five instances of the rare Nipah virus were identified, some areas of the southern Indian state of Kerala closed their schools and offices earlier.

Here’s what’s been going on:

• Nipah has not been detected in 11 more samples. 94 samples of people who were considered to be at high risk because they had frequent interaction with individuals who tested positive have so far come back negative.
• In the wake of the virus outbreak, all educational institutes in Kozhikode to remain shut till September 24
• According to a TOI article, India is importing monoclonal antibodies (m102.4) from Australia to treat those suffering from the disease in Kerala. These innovative drugs are being tested for use in treating Nipah virus infections and have been utilised on a humanitarian basis in certain other nations.
• According to The Hindu, India has reached out to Australia seeking to restock monoclonal antibody doses to combat the Nipah virus and is expecting 20 more doses soon.

The deadly virus is presently waging its fourth breakout in Kerala. In the Kozhikode district, the virus has caused the deaths of two people and the infection of at least five others. Nearly 1,000 contacts have been found, of whom more than 200 are deemed to be “high risk,” and some communities have been designated as containment zones.

Also Read: Kerala Nipah Virus: Govt Declares Containment Zones In These Villages. Here’s All About It

How Does It Happen

The ICMR also stated that even while the regular operating procedures for the care and handling of patients are in place, adequate safety measures must be taken to stop the virus’s spread.

Fruit bats, the natural reservoir hosts, play a complex role in the transmission dynamics of Nipah virus. Human infections primarily result from direct or indirect contact with infected animals, particularly fruit bats, or through person-to-person transmission.  However, in this case, the source is still not known.

Cover image credits: Canva