Kerala has reported two unusual deaths due to the Nipah virus (NiV), prompting a health alert for Kozhikode district. The virus can cause severe illness and death in humans and animals, including pigs and other animals. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that the virus can cause fatal encephalitis and acute respiratory illness in infected people, similar to COVID-19. Precautions include not eating fallen fruits, not feeding pigs, and preserving fruit bats. Although there is no known treatment, one should take precautionary measures to stop it from spreading.
Two “unusual” fatalities led to a Nipah alert given to Kerala
Kozhikode and Malappuram regions disclosed the first Nipah virus breakout in south India in 2018.
Nipah Virus Kerala – Health Alert Issued in Kozhikode
The Nipah virus (NiV) appeared to cause two “unusual” deaths in the district on Monday night, prompting the Kerala health department to issue a health alert for Kozhikode. “The family members of one of the fatalities also went to the intensive care unit (ICU),” according to state health minister Veena George.
Everything you require to know
According to reports, the two fatalities headed into a private hospital in the Kozhikode district. Earlier on Monday, the district’s situation was at a high-level gathering by the state health minister. Everything you require to find out about the Kerala outbreak of the Nipah virus:
# Kozhikode and Malappuram districts reported the first Nipah virus outbreak in south India in 2018. Since then, a significant epidemic occurred in the region in 2021.
# The Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic disease that is occasionally contracted by humans from animals, contaminated food, or other people and carried by fruit bats, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
# The virus can kill not only humans but also animals. According to WHO, the virus can also cause serious illness in pigs and other animals, costing farmers much money.
# The WHO noted on its website that the Nipah virus infects a wide variety of animals and can lead to severe illness and even death in humans, even though there have only been a few known outbreaks in Asia.
# The virus can cause fatal encephalitis and acute respiratory illness in infected people. Like COVID-19, the Nipah virus causes coughing, sore throats, dizziness, drowsiness, muscle pain, fatigue, encephalitis (brain swelling), headaches, stiff necks, sensitivity to light, confusion, and seizures.
# Although the virus has no known cure, one can take precautions like not eating fruits that have fallen to the ground, not feeding pigs, and preserving fruit bats away.
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