Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Kerala Detected Cases of Nipah Virus (NiV) Infection Cause, Symptoms, Treatment
Kerala Detected Cases of Rare Nipah Virus (NiV) Infection- Cause, Symptoms, Treatment
Kerala is on high alert as the state has detected with a rare and deadly Nipah Virus (NiV) infection for the first time that resulted in three initial deaths.
Nipah Virus (NiV) infection traces were found in blood and body fluid samples of two persons who died of viral fever in Kerala’s coastal Kozhikode region. It was confirmed by laboratory results from National Institute of Virology, Pune.
Nipah Virus (NiV) Infection
Nipah virus (NiV) infection is a zoonotic disease that causes severe disease in both animals and humans. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus are the natural host of the virus. It was first identified during an outbreak of disease that took place in Kampung Sungai Nipah, Malaysia in 1998.
Nipah virus spread's very fast and is mostly fatal. Infected bats shed virus in their excretion and secretion. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected bats, pigs. Human to Human transmission from other NiV-infected people is also reported.
NiV infection can cause acute respiratory syndrome, breathing trouble, inflammation of the brain, fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation and delirium. A patient can come into the coma within 48 hours. The mortality rate of patients infected with it is reportedly 70%. It is capable of causing diseases in domestic animals too.
NiV infection has no vaccine for disease yet either for humans or animals. The main treatment for those infected is intensive supportive care and supportive medicines. In disease-prone areas, fruits strewn on the ground should not be eaten, for safety.
