[ad_1]
Since then, epidemics have occurred almost every year in parts of Asia-mainly in Bangladesh and India
After the death of a 12-year-old boy on Sunday, the Nipah virus reappeared in Kerala, which has sounded the alarm in the state, which is already fighting the surge in daily Covid-19 infections.
Because the virus can spread from person to person, it has raised concerns in the past about its possibility of causing a pandemic.
This is all you need to know about the virus.
What is Nipah virus?
> Nipa virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, which means it can be transmitted between humans and animals.
> The animal host of NiV is fruit bats, commonly known as flying foxes, which can transmit the virus to pigs, dogs, goats and other animals.
> Humans are infected with Nipah virus mainly through close contact with infected animals or eating food contaminated with the saliva or urine of infected animals. It can also spread from person to person.
> Nipah virus was first reported after an outbreak in pigs and populations in Malaysia and Singapore in 1999.
> Since then, epidemics have occurred almost every year in parts of Asia-mainly Bangladesh and India.
Signs and symptoms
> Symptoms usually appear within 4 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
> Early and mild symptoms may include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and vomiting.
> Severe symptoms include seizures, coma, brain swelling (encephalitis), lethargy and disorientation.
> Long-term side effects of Nipah virus survivors include persistent convulsions and personality changes.
> The mortality rate is estimated to be 40-75%-although this may vary, depending on local capacity and management.
What can be done to prevent infection?
> Avoid direct contact with infected animals.
> Wash your hands often with soap and water.
> Avoid areas where bats are known to inhabit.
> Avoid eating fruits that may be contaminated by bats.
> Avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone who is known to be infected with NiV.
treatment
> Although the World Health Organization has listed Nipah disease as a priority disease, there are currently no drugs, vaccines or licensed treatments available for treatment.
> The doctor recommends rest, hydration, and treatment when mild symptoms appear.
Please also read:
>> Nipah virus alert: Two health workers in Kerala show symptoms after boy’s death
Why did the Nipah virus appear in the news again?
The last deadly Nipah outbreak in Kerala was in 2018, when 17 people died from the virus.
The virus has now resurfaced in the Indian state, 12 year old boy died of infection In Kozhikode district on Sunday.
The National Centers for Disease Control has sent their team to the state to provide support. Micro-restrictions were implemented in areas deemed to be potentially risky.
According to health officials, the two health officials on the boy’s contact list have developed symptoms of the virus.
A total of 188 people are in the contact list, and 20 of them are from the index list or high-risk categories.
[ad_2]
Source link