Nipah Virus in Kerala: Death toll rises to 11 in India; from symptoms to precautions, here's all you need to know
In update of Nipha virus breakout, it killed a nurse at Perambra Taluk Hospital on Moday. She get exposed to the virus while treating an infected patient. Her maternal uncle V Balan said “In her last days, she realised she had contacted a possibly-fatal infection after the youth from Changaroth — whom she had attended to in the initial stages — died. She lived to help others and her death has become a sacrifice,”. In Kozhikode district of Kerala, 11 people died due to a ‘rare and untreatable’ virus in last two weeks known as Nipah virus. As per the media reports, approximate 11 people have died including a nurse. Due to the sudden outbreak of Nipah Virus in Kerala, It has caused a panic situation in the state. The Pune Virology Institute has checked the two blood samples and they found Nipah Virus in the samples. Members of NCDC and NID will visit the affected area on Monday. The health minister of Kerala appealed to the central health minister J P Nadda to send the NCDC team to Kozhikode. The outbreak of Nipah Virus was also reported in the year 1998 and 2004. So let’s discuss What is Nipah virus and how it affects the Humans.
What is Nipah Virus?
Nipha Virus is an infection which spread through the fruit bats and affects the humans as well as animals. This virus was first reported in 1998 in Malaysia. This infection was first reported in pigs and horses which later infected humans. Once in Australia, it killed thirteen horses and the caretaker of the stable. The horses have reportedly received the infection from half-eaten food by fruit bat and later they infected the Humans.
People infected by the Nipah virus initially report respiratory problems and problem like encephalitis. A person with such infection is treated by the intensive supportive care.
Symptoms of Nipah Virus
Fever, headache, vomiting and nausea are some initial symptoms of this virus. A person infected with this virus suffer the brain swelling and he/she can go in Koma in less than 28 hours and also die soon.
Precautions from Nipah Virus
A drug name Ribavirin is used to treat the Nipah virus infection. This is a contagious disease which spread person to person. The best way to save yourself from this infection is to avoid contact with the infected person.
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After reviewing #NIPHAVirus situation, Union Health Min JP Nadda directed to constitute a high level team of doctors. Team under National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) director has reached Kerala. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is in close touch with Kerala Health dept pic.twitter.com/biSTC3taE2
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018
First published: 21 May 2018, 12:42 ISTNine people have died in Calicut district following high fever. Health dept confirmed that out of nine,two persons were affected with Nipah virus. The samples of the other deceased have been sent for tests. A task force has been formed under District Collector U V Jose #Kerala
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018
