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Source: The post is based on the article “Nipah kills two in Kerala: What is this virus, why is it dangerous even though it doesn’t spread fast” published in Indian Express on 12th September 2023
What is the News?
Cases of Nipah Virus have been found in Kerala again after two people were confirmed to have died of the viral disease in Kozhikode district,Kerala.
What is Nipah Virus?
Nipah is a zoonotic disease, which means it is transmitted to humans through infected animals or contaminated food.
It can also be transmitted directly from person to person through close contact with an infected person.
First case: The first outbreaks of the Nipah virus among humans was reported from Malaysia (1998) and Singapore (1999).
– The virus takes its name from the village in Malaysia where the person in whom the virus was first isolated died of the disease.
Host reservoir: The animal host reservoir for this virus is known to be the fruit bat, commonly known as flying fox.
– Fruit bats are known to transmit this virus to other animals like pigs, and also dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.
Transmission: Humans get infected mainly through direct contact with these animals, or through consumption of food contaminated by saliva or urine of these infected animals.Human-to-human transmission is also considered possible.
Symptoms: Fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, and vomiting.In severe cases, disorientation, drowsiness, seizures, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) can occur, progressing to coma and death.
Treatment: There is no treatment or vaccine available for either people or animals. The primary treatment for humans is supportive care.
Fatality rate: The Nipah virus is known to spread far more slowly than Covid-19.However, it is its ability to kill that is the biggest concern.
– According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the overall global case fatality rate of Nipah is estimated at 40% to 75% .
