Health authorities in the Indian state of Kerala have issued a warning after a 14-year-old boy died from the Nipah virus.
An additional 60 people have been identified as being in high-risk groups, according to the state health secretary.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the boy was from Pandikkad town and those who came in contact with him have been quarantined and tested.
People in the area are asked to take precautions such as wearing masks in public and not visiting people in hospital.
What is Nipah virus?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a “zoonotic disease” transmitted to humans from animals such as pigs and fruit bats.
WHO has described the virus as a priority pathogen because of its potential to cause an epidemic.
What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?
Early symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
In some people, this may happen after:
- Dizziness and/or drowsiness
- And/or altered consciousness
- And/or acute encephalitis changes
- And/or atypical pneumonia
- And/or other serious respiratory problems
How dangerous is it?
People infected with the virus sometimes have no noticeable symptoms, while others show signs of acute respiratory problems. In severe cases, Nipah infection can lead to fetal encephalitis – a serious condition that affects the brain.
The mortality rate for people who contract the virus is high because there is no medicine or vaccine to treat the infection. Treatment is limited to symptom control and supportive care.
How does Nipah virus spread?
The disease can be transmitted through contaminated food and through contact with infected people.
Experts say that due to loss of habitat, animals live closer to humans and this helps viruses spread from animals to humans.
The Kerala state government recently announced that it is formulating an action plan to contain the outbreak of Nipah virus.
Last year, the state government closed schools and offices. after confirming five cases.
Where in India was Nipah virus detected?
According to WHO, the first two outbreaks in 2001 and 2007 were both reported in the eastern state of West Bengal.
In 2018, 17 people died 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 detected there in 2018.
The 14-year-old boy died on Sunday, just a day after being confirmed to have the virus, Indian media reported.
Some areas of Kerala are said to be at the highest risk of contracting the virus globally. An investigation published by Reuters last year found that Kerala, a tropical state that is witnessing rapid urbanization and rapid tree loss, has created “ideal conditions for a virus like Nipah to emerge”.
What is a fruit bat?
Fruit bats, also known as “megabats,” are a group that includes some of the world’s largest bat species. These mammals, commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, are the natural hosts of the Nipah virus.
