India on High Alert: Nipah Virus Claims Life of Boy in Kerala
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 stated that the boy was from the town of Pandikkad. 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 the 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.
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
- Altered consciousness
- Acute encephalitis
- Atypical pneumonia
- Other severe respiratory problems
How Deadly is Nipah Virus?
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 fetal 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?
The virus 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, which helps the virus jump from animals to humans.
Prevention Measures and Government Response
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.
History of Nipah Virus in India
According to the WHO, the first two outbreaks in 2001 and 2007 were both reported in the eastern state of West Bengal. In 2018, 17 people were killed in an outbreak in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in the southern state of Kerala. The virus has been linked to dozens of deaths in Kerala state since it was first reported there in 2018. The 14-year-old died on Sunday, just a day after he was confirmed to have the virus, according to Indian media reports.
Parts of Kerala are said to be the most at-risk globally for the virus. An investigation published by Reuters last year found that Kerala, which is a tropical state and is witnessing rapid urbanization and rapid tree loss, created “ideal conditions for a virus like Nipah to emerge.”
What are Fruit Bats?
Fruit bats, also called “megabats,” are a grouping that contains some of the largest bats in the world. These mammals, usually found in tropical and sub-tropical regions, are natural hosts for the Nipah virus.
