The Health Ministry in India is scrambling to contain an outbreak of the Nipah virus in the country’s southern Kerala State that has already claimed two lives. According to the World Health Organization, the virus carries a fatality rate of around 75%, meaning that the race against time to contain the virus is of paramount importance.
In order to respond quickly to the news, a flurry of activity has ensued in the region with around 800 individuals being tested to determine the presence of the virus. Two adults and a child have been hospitalized after confirming a positive diagnosis in the tests.
Veena George, the Health Minister in the state, told Reuters, “We are testing human beings and at the same time experts are collecting fluid samples from forest areas that could be a suspected area of spread”. The Minister also stated that the region is in a “stage of hypervigilance and detection”.
As a result of the outbreak, public offices, government buildings, and religious institutions have been shuttered in the areas surrounding the village where the first virus victim lived. In addition, bat urine, animal droppings, and half-eaten fruit have also been collected from the area in order to better understand the source of the outbreak.
Established as a zoonotic virus, meaning that it can be passed from animals to humans, the Nipah virus is primarily believed to be spread through contact with fruit bats in its natural environment. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headaches, myalgia, vomiting, and a sore throat which can then progress to dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, symptoms resembling encephalitis, and even coma.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the only treatment available for this virus is supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of the symptoms that accompany the virus. It is also suggested to practice careful displacement of any suspect meat or food products.
Although the virus is still being contained, the Health Ministry continues to take preventative measures in order to contain and eliminate the virus as soon as possible. It is urged that safe food handling practices and proper hygiene be observed in order to reduce the risks of transmitting the virus from animals to humans.
At this time, individuals in the region are advised to keep an eye on the virus alert in order to stay up to date on any new developments regarding the Nipah virus outbreak. It is important to remember that the best way to protect yourself and your family is to stay informed and to be vigilant.
