Nipah virus is a zoonotic, bat-borne virus that has a high mortality rate. Four cases of the Nipah virus have been reported in Kerala, two of which have just passed away from the illness, according to state health minister Veena George on Tuesday. Here’s all about the zoonotic virus
Kerala Witnesses Outbreak Of Nipah Virus
The minister confirmed that the Nipah virus was to blame for the recent deaths in Kozhikode district. In fact, samples of the deceased and his relatives were sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology for examination.
According to the ministry, 3 samples, including one from the deceased and 2 others who received the treatment, have tested positive. The cause of the death was liver sclerosis and he had few comorbidities, which were believed to have caused problems that led to his death. However, he was kept under observation after his closest family members and contacts started displaying symptoms like unusual fever and so on.
According to a representative of the virology institute, one Nipah virus patient died this month while the other passed away on August 30, according to Reuters. Kerala has seen four Nipah epidemics since 2018. In fact, 21 of the 23 people who were impacted by the Nipah outbreak when Kerala first reported it in 2018 were dead. In 2019 and 2021, Nipah took two more lives.
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How Does The Pathogen Transfer From One Person To Another?
Humans can contract the virus by direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or other people’s bodily fluids. Following an illness outbreak that affected pig farmers and other individuals who frequently came into contact with pigs in Malaysia and Singapore in 1999, the disease was initially identified. There are no vaccines or known treatments for the virus.
The two deaths in Kozhikode were caused by the Nipah virus, according to the Union Minister of Health. He also said that an expert team from the centre had been sent to Kerala to assess the situation and assist the state government in managing the illness.
The state administration takes the two fatalities very seriously, according to a video message earlier in the day from Kerala’s chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan.
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The chief minister urged people to be cautious and assured them that there was no need for concern because individuals who had been near the deceased were receiving treatment.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva