The World Health Organisation classifies the Nipah virus as a priority disease that must be prevented because it could start an epidemic. Recent infections cases have been detected in India, where a 12 years old boy died after contracting the virus.
The story is quite shocking
The boy from the Kerala province is not the only one to contract the virus. Two health workers tested positive for the Nipah virus as well. Local authorities are investigating how the boy got infected and how many people he had been in contact with since the incident last week. The boy was admitted to a private hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life. At the beginning of September, the boy had some symptoms of encephalitis and myocarditis, which made health providers suspect he had contracted the Nipah virus. After the National Institute of Virology analysis in Pune came back positive, local authorities started an immediate investigation.
Local media articles mention that the boy was first admitted to a private hospital, then he was transferred to a medical college, and in the end, he was taken back to the private hospital. This might mean that he was in close contact with several health workers during his final days. So far, at least 20 people have been declared as high-risk contacts of the boy from Kozhikode district of Kerala.
The Health Minister posted about the case
Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister of India, tweeted that the central government will provide all the support needed for preventing the further spreading of the virus.
Nipah virus has been detected in the Kozhikode district of Kerala.
Central Government has rushed a team to Kerala to support the State in public health measures and provide technical support.https://t.co/DAetTt3yL6
— Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 5, 2021
Karnataka health minister Dr. K Sudhakar replied to the tweet and urged the Kerala government to make sure the Nipah virus does not spread and create another pandemic.
It is a matter of concern that the dangerous #NipahVirus has been detected in Kerala! Hope the Kerala Government takes all necessary steps to keep the spread under check. @CMofKarnataka https://t.co/sZfCPU15GB
— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) September 5, 2021
What is the Nipah virus?
Back in 2018, a family in Kozhikode, Kerala, was fighting to survive after contracting the virus. In the ’90s there were two large outbreaks, one in Malaysia (276 cases) and one in Singapore in 1988-1999, reports local media. The human Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, and although it triggers symptoms similar to those from swine flu or bird flu, it is another virus. The animal responsible for spreading it is the bat, and symptoms include fever, cough, body ache, headaches, fatigue, and even death. The most severe symptoms are respiratory failure and neurological failure. Pigs can also contract the virus and spread it to humans.