India alert after boy dies from Nipah virus in Kerala

Sly Saint · Jul 24, 2024

Health authorities in India's Kerala state have issued an alert after a 14-year-old boy died of the Nipah virus.

According to the state's health minister, an additional 60 people have been identified as being in the high-risk category of having the disease.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the boy was from the town of Pandikkad and that those who came into contact with him have been isolated and tested.

People in the area have been asked to take precautions such as wearing masks in public areas and refraining from visiting people in hospital.

What is Nipah virus?

The Nipah virus infection is a "zoonotic illness" transmitted from animals like pigs and fruit bats to humans, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO has described the virus as a priority pathogen because of its potential to trigger an epidemic.

What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?

Initial symptoms may include:

Fever

Headaches

Muscle pain

Vomiting

Sore throat

In some people, this can be followed by:

Dizziness and/or drowsiness

And/or altered consciousness

And/or altered acute encephalitis

And/or atypical pneumonia

And/or other severe respiratory problems

How deadly is it?

People who contract the virus sometimes show no noticeable symptoms, while others show signs of acute respiratory problems. In severe cases, a Nipah infection can result in foetal encephalitis - a serious condition that affects the brain.

The mortality rate among those who contract the virus is high as there is no medicine or vaccine available to treat the infection. Treatment is limited to managing symptoms and supportive care.

How does the Nipah virus spread?

It can be transmitted through contaminated food and through contact with an infected person.

Experts say that due to habitat loss, animals are living in closer proximity to humans and this helps the virus jump from animals to humans.

The Kerala state government recently announced that it was creating an action plan to prevent a Nipah outbreak.

Last year, authorities in the state closed schools and offices after confirming five cases.
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Nipah virus: Kerala state issues alert after 14-year-old dies - BBC News

"If it passes easily from human to human, we are in for a big problem"

A 14-year-old boy has died of the Nipah virus in southwest India. Indian authorities are taking measures to prevent an outbreak of this so-called "horror virus".

About 100 people who came into contact with the boy have been placed in isolation. People in the Indian state of Kerala are advised to wear mouth masks in public places and avoid contact with vulnerable people.

The 'horror virus' occurs in bats but is transmissible to humans. The virus can also be transmitted via pigs. Those who get infected are at high risk of death as there is no vaccine against the virus.

The virus is found in countries such as India, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh. The virus, with pandemic characteristics, is being closely monitored by virologists around the world.

"Lately, we have been seeing people coughing more when they have Nipah. That could indicate that human-to-human transmission is possible. If Nipah can be easily transmitted from human to human, we are in for a big problem. Right now that is not the case, but that could change. That is why we are taking this so seriously," explains the Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst in Het Nieuwsblad.
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"If it passes easily from human to human, we are in for a big problem" (msn.com)

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India alert after boy dies from Nipah virus in Kerala

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India alert after boy dies from Nipah virus in Kerala

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