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Kozhikode11 hours ago
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Samples of four other people in Kerala have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune for testing for Nipah virus. (concept image)
Two people have died due to Nipah virus in Kozhikode, Kerala. Apart from this, 2 more patients including a 9 year old boy have been found in the state. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday (September 12) that the deaths in Kerala were due to Nipah only. We have sent a team of experts to take stock of the situation and help the state government deal with it.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that the samples of both the deceased have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for testing. He informed about finding two more patients. The Health Minister has instructed local health workers to keep strict vigil in their areas.
On the other hand, samples of four other people in Kerala have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for testing of Nipah virus. A control room has been set up in the state and people have been advised to wear masks. According to news agency PTI, the first death due to Nipah virus in Kerala occurred on August 30. The second death occurred on September 11.
No announcement of Nipah outbreak in the state yet
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a post on September 12 that the government is serious over the death of two people due to Nipah virus. The health department has issued an alert in Kozhikode. The people who were in contact with the deceased are being traced. The outbreak of Nipah has not been officially declared in the state yet.
In 2018, 17 died due to Nipah in Kozhikode and Malappuram.
In 2018, 17 people died due to Nipah virus in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala. Earlier, a case of Nipah virus was reported in Kochi in 2019. At the same time, in 2021 also a case of Nipah virus was found in Kozhikode.
In 2018 itself, 31-year-old nurse Lynne Puthussery died of Nipah virus in Kerala. She did not meet her husband and two small children in her last moments. Before her death, she had written an emotional letter to her husband, which went viral on social media.
It was written in the letter – ‘Saji Chetta, my last time has come. I don’t think I’ll be able to see you. Pardon me. Take care of our children. Will take them to the Gulf. Don’t leave them alone… lots of love to you all.
Nipah is zoonotic virus
Nipah virus can spread to humans from animals like bats and pigs. The death rate of this disease is very high. Till now there is no treatment or vaccine (injection) available. Zoonotic virus is one which spreads from animals to humans or from humans to animals.
Bats also spread rabies and Nipah virus
Dr. Samira Mubareka, a microbiologist at the Toronto Health Science Centre, says – This is not the first time that the name of bats has come up as the cause of any disease in humans. It is a carrier of many types of viruses, which has been proven earlier also. Some species of bats have also been carriers of rabies, Ebola and Nipah viruses.
Nipah was found in Malaysia 25 years ago
According to WHO (World Health Organization), Nipah virus was first detected in Sungai Nipah village, Malaysia in 1998. It was named Nipah after the name of this village. Then the pig rearing farmers were found infected with this virus. According to the report of the Malaysia case, cases of infection spread through pets like dogs, cats, goats, horses were also reported.
After Nipah emerged in Malaysia, this virus was also detected in Singapore in the same year. After this, in 2001, patients infected with this virus were also found in Bangladesh. After some time, Nipah virus patients started being found around the Indian border with Bangladesh also.
Nipah virus symptoms
According to experts, Nipah virus spreads not only through animals but also from one infected person to another. According to WHO, patients infected with Nipah virus show symptoms like viral fever along with headache, feeling like vomiting, difficulty in breathing and dizziness. If these symptoms persist for 1-2 weeks, contact a doctor.
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