Nipah virus News

The Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that causes severe respiratory illness and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans and animals. It was first identified in 1998–99 during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore, primarily affecting pig farmers. Since then, it has caused several outbreaks, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, including India and Bangladesh.

175 individuals in Malappuram district have been identified on the contact list linked to the recent Nipah virus outbreak. 

The health minister informed the media that a total of 151 people are currently on the primary contact list. Their information has been gathered, and those who had direct contact have been placed in isolation. 

Precautionary measures including contact tracing, isolation of high-risk contacts, and public health advisories are underway.  

Scientists at the University of Oxford in the UK have launched the first-in-human clinical trial to test a vaccine to protect people against deadly Nipah virus.  

Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, and weakness Doctors warn that symptoms can rapidly escalate, underscoring the utmost importance of promptly seeking medical attention In certain instances, the virus can lead to more severe complications, including encephalitis, seizures, coma, severe respiratory distress, and even fatalities

Since 2018, Kerala is currently seeing its fourth outbreak of Nipah. ICMR confirms the fatality rate and transmission, read here.

Nearly 950 people have been listed in the contact list of which  287 are health workers and 213 are in the high-risk category.

Nipah Virus Threat In Kerala: The Kerala Health Department has issued a high alert following the unfortunate demise of two individuals in Kozhikode due to fever, subsequently confirmed to be linked to the Nipah virus by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

The Nipah virus was first identified in 1998 during an outbreak of illness among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore.

Till the 24th of this month, if necessary the district collector can ban gatherings in Kozhikode district.

Responding to a query regarding the Nipah infection in the assembly, State Health Minister Veena George said that the virus strain seen in Kerala was the Bangladesh variant that spreads from human to human and has a high mortality rate.

Nipah Virus Outbreak In Kerala: A Central team has been sent to Kerala to take stock of the situation and assist the state government in Nipah virus management, Union Health Minister Mandaviya said in a press conference here.

This situation has triggered a swift response from health authorities, who convened a high-level meeting to assess the situation and implement measures to contain the virus's spread.

One of the initial signs of Nipah virus infection is a high-grade fever that lasts for several days Muscle pain, body aches, and fatigue are common symptoms of Nipah virus infection In severe cases, Nipah virus infection can lead to seizures, coma, and even death

Langya virus has infected 35 people in China's Shandong and Henan provinces Humans may have caught the virus from wild shrews Symptoms reported appeared to be mostly mild fever, fatigue, cough, loss of appetite, muscle aches, nausea and headache

A recent outbreak of the Nipah virus in India has raised the question of whether we should start to consider it as a future threat and look to build up our arsenal of defences now.

The patient had not shown severe symptoms till the sample was sent for testing on Monday. 

A detailed advisory on precautions to be taken against the Nipah virus was issued by the Karnataka Health Commissioner on Sunday. The state's Health Commissioner also said that people who are coming from Kerala will be kept under surveillance.