Nipah virus: 5 shocking facts about this deadly disease that has claimed lives in Kozhikode, Kerala

People with a good immunity may not catch the virus.

Aishwarya Iyer | Published: May 22, 2018 11:32 am

Nipah Virus (NiV) has taken India by shock. Reportedly, 10 deaths in South Indian State of Kerala have been confirmed due to the virus. It was first identified in Kampung Sungai Nipah village in Malaysia in 1998. The virus was then, named after this village. However, it was only now that the World Health Organization (WHO) has claimed the virus to be added in the newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease.

Read: What is Nipah Virus?

Here’s why the Nipah virus is deadly:

The natural host of the virus is fruit bats, belonging to the Pteropodidae family. This means it can spread via infected fruit bats too. Fruitbat is a flying mammal that is commonly found in India. Pigs or other sources of spreading the virus are also possible. The virus can spread through NiV-infected people, direct contact with infected fruit bats or even consumption of fruits that have fallen on the ground.
It spreads from animals to humans. Either way, neither animals nor humans have currently been able to recover.
Although the virus claims a mortality of 70%, it doesn’t have a vaccination.
The symptoms of the virus include coma, encephalitis, inflammation of brain. Other symptoms include fever, throbbing headaches, disorientation of brain leading to confused state, respiratory illness and drowsiness.
The disease can be asymptomatic in certain cases too.

Here are other easier ways to prevent the illness:

Do not consume any fruit that seems to be bitten by any animal/bats or rodents.
Don’t harvest fruits from the seeds fallen on the ground- which may seem untouched by any animal. This is so because the virus spreads through body fluids of the infected animals.
Wear gloves and masks while treating/ meeting anyone infected.
Drink boiled water.
Keep water sources such as wells or tanks closed.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Published: May 22, 2018 11:32 am

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