A contact list of 350 individuals has been compiled by Keralan health officials in the wake of the death of a youngster who had the Nipah virus. Six persons from Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad are especially concerning.
Kerala health officials are working feverishly to contain an outbreak of the Nipah virus after learning that six people beyond the first afflicted area had contact with a 14-year-old kid who passed away after testing positive for the illness.
Health Minister Veena George stated on Monday that test results from the victim, a Malappuram resident, are expected. The boy’s death was verified on Sunday, making it Kerala’s first Nipah fatality since 2023.
According to George, results for four samples sent to the Thiruvananthapuram Advanced Virology Institute and nine samples sent to the Kozhikode Medical College Virology Lab should be available today. Out of those who were tested, six have shown symptoms.
The origin of the infection is being looked into by the authorities. According to friends, the youngster consumed fruit from a field that bats—known to be carriers of the Nipah virus—frequently visited.
“More testing is required for confirmation, even though the initial assessment points to this as the source,” George said. Today, a group from the National Institute of Virology is coming to investigate the population of bats.
The Nipah variety discovered in the youngster and the one discovered in nearby bats have already been verified as matching by the authorities. In collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research, efforts are being made to detect possible fruit contamination (ICMR).
In the impacted district, mask use in public areas is now required as a precaution. If someone is determined to have been in close contact with the deceased, they will be required to spend a mandated 21-day time in isolation, followed by another 21 days of close observation.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus that can cause severe disease in both animals and humans. Here’s a concise overview:
Origin: First identified in 1999 during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore.
Transmission:
- Primary hosts are fruit bats (flying foxes)
- Can spread to humans through:
- Direct contact with infected bats or their bodily fluids
- Consumption of contaminated fruit
- Contact with infected pigs or other animals
- Human-to-human transmission possible, especially in healthcare settings
Symptoms:
- Range from asymptomatic to severe
- Can include fever, headache, respiratory illness, and encephalitis
- Severe cases may lead to seizures, coma, and death
Fatality rate: Varies between outbreaks, but can be as high as 40-75%
Outbreaks: Primarily in South and Southeast Asia, with notable occurrences in Bangladesh and India
Prevention:
- Avoid contact with bats and pigs in endemic areas
- Practice good hygiene and food safety
- Healthcare workers should use appropriate protective equipment
Treatment:
- No specific antiviral treatments available
- Supportive care is the primary approach
Public health concern: Nipah is considered a priority disease by the WHO due to its potential to cause epidemics and its high mortality rate.
