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Health Minister Convenes Emergency Meeting with Legislators and District Officials on Nipha Virus
Before that Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George called for an emergency meeting on Tuesday night. The meeting included all legislators, public representatives, district collectors and health department officials to discuss essential efforts to combat the Nipah virus.
Contact Tracing Ongoing in the Region
The Health Minister reported that contact tracing is underway in the affected area. The Health Department has also held discussions with the Indian Council and Medical Research (ICMR). Assuring the availability of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of patients in private hospitals across the state. Two new cases have been confirmed by him. Which includes a 9 years old child and a young adult both currently under treatment.
First Nipah Virus Deaths in Kerala
First Nipah Virus Deaths in KeralaThe first Nipah virus related death occurred on August 30. The second case reported on September 11 in Kerala. Samples from both deceased individuals were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for testing. Two more cases have been confirmed, involving a 9 years old child and a 24 years old youth. Both are receiving treatment and local health workers have been instructed to maintain strict surveillance in their respective areas.
No Official Announcement of Nipah Spread in the State
Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan expressed concern about the two deaths caused by the Nipah virus. The search for persons who had touch with the deceased is still ongoing. Although there has been no official announcement of the virus spreading in the state. Just an alert has been issued in Kozhikode, Kerela.
Previous Nipah Virus Incidents in Kerala
In 2018, Nipah virus claimed the lives of 17 people in Kerala’s Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Prior to this, the virus cases were reported in Kochi in 2019 and Kozhikode in 2021. the virus is known to spread from bats and pigs to humans.
What is Nipha Virus?
A zoonotic virus that can cause severe respiratory and neurological illnesses in humans is known as Nipah virus. It is primarily transmitted from fruit bats (flying foxes) to humans. And also often through intermediate hosts like pigs.
WHO said that there is no specipic medicine or vaccine are available for the treatent of this virus.
Nipah Virus Symptoms
According to experts the virus can spread not only from animals to humans but also from one infected person to another.
Some Symptoms of the virus are found they are
Fever: Fever is often one of the earliest and most common symptoms of Nipah virus infection.
Headache: Headaches can be severe and persistent.
Dizziness, Nausea and Vomiting, Cough and many others
If these symptoms persist more than 1 to 2 weeks individuals are advised to seek medical attention.
First Nipah Virus Case 25 Years Ago in Malaysia
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the first case of Nipah virus in Sungai Nipah village, Malaysia, in 1998. The virus was initially linked to pig farmers who became infected. However, it was laterly discovered that the virus could also be spread from domestic animals. For eg. dogs, cats, goats and horses.
Another Cases emerged in the same year in Singapore. Subsequently, in 2001 Bangladesh reported the virus cases and shortly after cases were detected near the Indian border with Bangladesh. Kerala’s Kozhikode district saw two deaths due to fever, which were later confirmed as Nipah virus related.
Nipah Virus Originates from Bats and Pigs
The virus is known to originate from bats and pigs and can cause a high mortality rate among infected individuals.
Moreover the Kerela Government did not gave any official annoucement for spreading the virus.
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