Another new round of Nipah expected in Kerala

As Kerala sees a daily rise of nearly 30,000 cases of COVID-19, the deadly Nipah virus has come as another thorn in its side, prompting the state to step up the vigilance of its health machinery to prevent an outbreak of a separate infection. has been inspired.

Acting swiftly, the state and central governments sent their teams to Kozhikode to assess the situation in Chathamangalam panchayat areas.

What is Nipah virus, how does it spread?

According to World Health OrganizationNipah (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it spreads from animals to humans) and can be transmitted through contaminated food or even directly between people. In infected people, it causes a range of diseases ranging from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses to farmers.

Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe illness and death in people, making it a public health concern. Is.

The first outbreak of Nipah in the world was recorded in 1999 among pig farmers in Malaysia.

The WHO also stated, “During subsequent outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, Nipah virus spread directly human-to-human through close contact with people’s secretions and excreta. In 2001 in Siliguri, India , transmission of the virus was also reported in a health care setting, where 75% of cases occurred among hospital workers or visitors. From 2001 to 2008, nearly half of cases in Bangladesh were human-to-human through the care of infected patients. due to transmission.

Symptoms, Mortality of Nipah Virus:

The WHO states that human infections range from asymptomatic infections to acute respiratory infections (mild, severe) and fatal encephalitis.

Infected people initially develop symptoms including fever, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat. This may be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs indicating acute encephalitis. Some people may also experience unusual pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. In severe cases encephalitis and seizures occur, which may progress to a coma within 24 to 48 hours.

The incubation period (the interval from infection to onset of symptoms) is thought to be from 4 to 14 days. However, an incubation period of up to 45 days has been reported.

Most people who survive acute encephalitis make a full recovery, but long-term neurological conditions have been reported in survivors. About 20% of patients are left with residual neurological consequences such as seizure disorder and personality changes. Very few people who later recover or develop late-onset encephalitis.

The case fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75%. This rate may vary by outbreak, depending on local capabilities for epidemiological surveillance and clinical management.

According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Nipah virus (NIV) infection can cause mild to severe illness, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and potentially death.

Symptoms may initially include one or several of the following:

-Fever

-Headache

-Cough

-Sore throat

– difficulty in breathing

-Vomit

-Severe symptoms may occur, such as:

– disorientation, sleepiness, or confusion

Seizures

-Coma

Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)

The CDC states that infections that cause symptoms and sometimes death much later after exposure (known as dormant or latent infections) have also been reported months and even years after exposure.

Nipah Virus Treatment:

“Currently there are no drugs or vaccines specific for Nipah virus infection, although the WHO has identified Nipah as a priority disease for the WHO Research and Development Blueprint. Intensive adjuvant for the treatment of severe respiratory and neurological complications. Care is recommended,” WHO states.

Prevention from Nipah Virus:

-WHO recommends, “If an outbreak is suspected, animal premises should be immediately isolated. Killing infected animals – with close monitoring of burying or incineration of carcasses – can reduce the risk of transmission to people.” Restricting or restricting the movement of animals from infected farms to other areas can reduce the spread of the disease.”

Regular and thorough cleaning of pig farms and disinfection with appropriate detergents can be effective in preventing infection.

According to the CDC, in areas where Nipah virus (NIV) outbreaks have occurred (Bangladesh, Malaysia, India and Singapore), people should:

-Practice regular hand washing with soap and water

-Avoid contact with sick bats or pigs

– Avoid areas where bats are known to settle

Avoid consumption of raw date palm juice

Avoid consuming fruits that may be contaminated by bats

-Avoid contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone who is infected with NiV

However, with the current cases being detected, state health minister Veena George, who is camping in Kozhikode district, said the situation was under control and there was no need to panic. Meanwhile, a team from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) arrived in the state to provide assistance as two others also showed symptoms of virus infection.

George said here on Sunday, two health workers, who are among 20 high-risk contacts of the deceased 12-year-old boy, identified with symptoms of Nipah virus infection, will be shifted to all high-risk contacts. For Kozhikode Medical College. “We have identified 188 contacts so far. The surveillance team has marked 20 of them as high-risk contacts. Of these, two high-risk contacts have symptoms. Both are health workers. With a private hospital works, while the other one is a staff member of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital,” he told reporters after chairing a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation.

The first Nipah virus disease outbreak in South India was reported from Kozhikode district of Kerala on May 19, 2018. As of June 1, 2018, there have been 17 deaths and 18 confirmed cases. The outbreak was controlled and declared by June 10, 2018. .

Subsequently, in June 2019, a new case of Nipah was reported from Kochi and the only patient was a 23-year-old student, who later recovered. With one case reported this year, this is the fifth time the virus has been detected in India and the third time in Kerala.