Nipah Virus Infection

Nipah Virus Infection

                                                                                                                                                                         

Nature of the disease

Nipah virus is an emerging zoonotic disease, first described in 1999 and is caused by a virus of the Paramyxoviridae family. The disease, which is similar to another emerging zoonosis (Hendra virus), can spread from its wildlife reservoir to pigs and humans where it causes an often fatal disease. Nipah Virus claims 14 Death in Kerala The death toll of the Nipah Virus outbreak that has put Kerala on high alert over the last two weeks has reached 14. The latest victim, Ebin from Palazhi, who was battling the virus in a private hospital in Kozhikode passed away on Sunday afternoon. According to reports, it was confirmed that the victim had contracted Nipah. He had been in a critical condition for the past 4 days. On Saturday, a 62-year-old woman under treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College hospital passed away. Most cases have been reported in Kozhikode and Malappuram and fresh instances of Nipah virus have come down, thanks to the efforts of the State Health Department.  Close to 200 patients in these two districts are being treated in hospitals, with 26 under observation and three who have tested positive under intensive treatment. Several states issue alerts Despite, the Union Health Ministry maintaining that the virus outbreak is a localized occurrence and there is no need to panic, fear runs high across the country. Panic gripped Himachal Pradesh when several bats were found dead at Government Senior Secondary School in Barmapapri in Sirmaur district this week. However, tests at the National Institute of Virology in Pune ruled out that the bats were carrying Nipah virus. Similarly, in Telangana, two persons, including one who visited Kerala recently, were admitted to hospitals on Friday with suspected Nipah virus infection. However, their samples later tested negative. The Bihar government issued a Nipah virus alert on Saturday, asking people to take precautions. An advisory has also been issued to people with the dos and don'ts as preventive measures. Madhya Pradesh issued its advisory on Friday. While saying there was no reason to worry as the virus is generally limited to a place, Health Services Director B.N. Chouhan advised against eating fruits that are fallen on the ground or appear to have animal teeth or claw marks.  The Rajasthan government also issued an advisory on Saturday, asking people not to travel to affected parts of Kerala and for officials to maintain caution.