Is there Nipah Virus outbreak reported in India 2024? following the death of a teenage boy in Kerala.
A 14-year-old boy died of Nipah Virus in Kerala, an Indian state. As reported by the state’s health Minister Veena George, about 350 people have been isolated and tested. Where 101 were at “high risk” of having the symptoms of the Nipah Virus and 60 were in direct contact with the teenage boy.
Potential for Nipah Virus Outbreak in 2024
Health Authorities advocate that Nipah Virus would have the potential to be an Outbreak. Already India has survived the sixth outbreaks until 2018 and if not controlled it might be the most devastating one. Therefore, precautionary measures and SOPs have been implemented in the state. It was advised not to frequently visit the state hospitals to prevent the spread of the virus.
Global Impact and Risk
No, cases have been reported up till now of the Nipah Virus, spread to other countries or prevalently South Asian Countries including Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and many more. But these countries are still at Risk of spreading an outbreak if precautionary measures are not taken.
Understanding Nipah Virus (NiV)
Nipah Virus (NiV) belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae and genus Henipavirus, is of zoonotic origin and spreads from animals to humans. It is transmitted by bats, specific types of fruit bats, mainly Pteropus spp. they are the natural reservoir of the host. This virus is highly devastating, as it is a biosafety level 4 pathogen that can cause death if in contact. It has the potential to cause an outbreak.
Current Status of Nipah Virus Vaccines
No, vaccine has been prepared to prevent NiV up till now but scientists, particularly Biotechnologists are still working on it.
History of (NiV) Outrbreak
Origin in 1999 in Malaysia:
It was first recognized in Malaysia in an outbreak in 1999 among pig farmers. No further case or outbreak was reported in Malaysia.
Bangladesh in 2001:
In 2001, it was also recognized in Bangladesh. Most periodically it was identified in India and India’s different states. Other countries
From 2001 to 2018 outbreaks:
As studies reported, from 2001 to 2018 multiple outbreaks occurred in India due to frequent contact of humans with animals.
Transmission and Spread of Nipah Virus
At first viral transmission was considered due to contact with pigs, later on, scientists discovered bats were the source of Nipah virus. The spread of the virus is intra-kingdom as bats transmit the virus to pigs. Further studies reveal that bats transmit the virus to humans through different modes either air droplets or bodily fluids. Moreover, the virus could be transmitted from human to human through bodily fluids.
Contaminated food could also be the source of viral spread. It may spread by wearing contaminated equipment or clothing. It is highly devastating that air droplets could be responsible for infecting other human beings. People in contact with diseased persons, animals, or even a particular area are at high risk of getting the viral spread.
Symptoms and Mortality Rate of Nipah Virus
The initial symptoms after the exposure of the virus to towards immune system of human include:
Fever
Vomiting
Headaches
Muscle pain
Sore Throat
Persistent Cough
Later on, with the spread of the virus the complications regarding human health increased leading to severe respiratory problems, altered acute encephalitis, consciousness, and death of an organism.
Nipah Virus is highly devastating and the mortality rate typically ranges from 40% to 60%. No, such treatment is available for the Nipah Virus as it extremely affects brain activity. Studies are still going to permanently treat the NiV, the primary measure to combat the virus outbreak is to limit human-to-human interaction and to take precautionary measures.
