'Stay Vigilant': Know Why Kerala Health Department Issued An Alert Against Nipah Virus

As Kerala enters a season conducive to Nipah virus transmission, the Health Department has issued a vigilance directive for the district.

Stay Vigilant: Why The Kerala Health Department Has Issued An Alert Against Nipah Virus

Nipah virus is a deadly zoonotic disease that is very common in the state of Kerala. The Health Department of Kerala recently issued a warning for the residents and said, 'Stay vigilant.' The reason behind this being that Kerala is about to enter a season that is conducive to Nipah virus transmission. As per Kerala's record of Nipah virus infection, transmission and deaths, the state has suffered a lot. Therefore, this announcement helps priortise and control further risks and transmission of the disease.

The first major outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala occurred in 2018, in the Kozhikode district. The outbreak led to 17 deaths and more than 20 confirmed cases. This was a particularly concerning event as it marked the first time the virus had spread so widely in India.

Avoid consuming fruits that have been partially eaten by birds or animals or have fallen to the ground. Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption. Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly infectious and potentially deadly virus that belongs to the Henipavirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family. It was first identified in 1998 in Malaysia, when it caused a major outbreak among pig farmers, leading to many deaths. Since then, it has caused other outbreaks in parts of Southeast Asia and India.

Symptoms Of Nipah Virus

Nipah virus can cause a range of symptoms, starting from mild to severe. Take a look at the most common symptoms:

1. Nausea
2. Headache
3. Fever
4. Dizziness
5. Respiratory distress
6. Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which can lead to coma or death in severe cases