What Is Nipah Virus? Here's What You Need To Know

What Is Nipah Virus: A 12-year-old boy from the Kozhikode district of Kerala has succumbed to the Nipah virus. His death has been followed by Kerala government taking measures to contain the spread of the virus. 18 people who were in close contact with him including relatives and health workers have been quarantined. 

Here's what you need to know about Nipas Virus - Causes, Symptoms and Precautions

Outbreak in India

The first outbreak of Nipah virus occurred in West Bengal in 2001. Fruit bats were considered to be the hosts that led to the spread.

India saw another outbreak of the virus in 2018. 17 people died of the disease due to this.

Nipah virus is one of 10 priority diseases that World Health Organisation has identified as potentials that can cause the next major outbreak. It has a mortality rate of 70%.

Causes

According to a report in the Indian Journal of Virology, the disease can cause through direct contact with infected pigs, other infected animals, or through contaminated fruits (half-eaten fruits left by fruit bats). Direct contact with an infected person can also be dangerous.

The incubation period for the virus ranges from 5 to 14 days and symptoms become visible after this period. Symptoms include fever, headache, fainting and nausea.  The patient can go into a coma just two days after a person starts experiencing the symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, drowsiness, respiratory illness, disorientation, nausea and mental confusion. In some cases, symptoms like choking, stomach pain, vomiting, fatigue and blurred vision could also be there. The patient can go into coma just two days after the symptoms begin showing.

Precautions

Ensure that the food you take is not contaminated by bats. Stay away from fruits that may have been bitten by bats.

Maintain distance from a patient suffering from Nipah virus. Keep sanitising and washing hands carefully. Avoiding drinking raw date palm sap can help in prevention this deadly disease.

There is no vaccine to tackle the virus for either humans or animals.

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