Panic is breaking out in the heart of India. While the world is still grappling with the impact of COVID-19, Kerala is facing another viral threat: the Nipah virus. But what do we really know about this virus and why is it attracting so much attention?

An outbreak of the highly dangerous Nipah virus has occurred in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The virus requires protective measures similar to those for COVID-19. There have already been two deaths and several infected people. The virus has a high mortality rate of 40 to 75 percent and a long incubation period of up to 45 days. It is transmitted by flying foxes and can be passed from person to person. Symptoms initially resemble COVID-19, but neurological symptoms appear later. There is no vaccine, treatment is symptomatic. The usual symptoms are coughing and feeling cold. What distinguishes it from Corona is the headaches. The patients feel weak, are disoriented, they hallucinate, Vivek Nangia, pulmonologist. The virus first appeared in Malaysia in 1999. It is the fourth outbreak in the Indian state of Kerala since 2018

Nipahvirus fact check

ClaimsFact check
Two people have died from the Nipah virus in India.Confirmed: Two people in Kerala, India, have died from Nipah virus.
The government has imposed a lockdown in Kerala.Confirmed: Offices and schools in Kerala have been closed and public events should be avoided.
The Nipah virus was first discovered in 1999.Confirmed: The virus was discovered in Malaysia and Singapore in 1999.
The virus can be transmitted from animals to people.Confirmed: The reservoir for Nipahviruses are flying foxes of the genus Pteropus . They excrete the viruses in their urine and saliva.
There have been no other known Nipah outbreaks in Malaysia and Singapore since 1999.Confirmed: However, outbreaks occur almost annually in other parts of Asia, particularly Bangladesh and India.
The virus is life-threatening and can lead to severe brain inflammation.Confirmed: In past outbreaks, 40 to 75 percent of those infected died.
There is no vaccine or drug against Nipah virus.Confirmed: Treatment is purely symptomatic. , a monoclonal antibody called m102.4 is in development .
The current Nipah outbreak in India is not as threatening as the one in 2018.Confirmed by KK Shailaja, former Health Minister of Kerala. She says they now have more experience and the means to effectively contain the outbreak.
People can become infected through close contact with flying foxes or pigs.Confirmed: The virus can be transmitted from flying foxes to humans, particularly through consumption of palm sap contaminated with the virus.
The virus can also be transmitted from person to person.Confirmed: However, this requires close contact with an infected person.

History of the Nipahvirus: A Review

In Malaysia in 1999, a new and deadly virus was identified: the Nipah virus. What initially began as a mysterious affliction on pig farms quickly developed into a serious threat to humans. When large numbers of pigs on these farms suddenly became ill with respiratory and neurological symptoms, scientists and health experts soon realized that this was not just a disease that affected animals. Several people, especially farm workers, were infected and many of them lost their lives. To identify and name this new virus, researchers used the name of a Malaysian river and village – Nipah.

As virologists and health experts continued to study the virus, they determined that it was a zoonotic virus. This means it can be transmitted from animals to people. More specifically, the virus comes from flying foxes, specifically the Pteropus genus. These flying foxes carry the virus and can transmit it to other animals and people, often through their urine or saliva.

Nipah virus outbreaks: a constant shadow over Asia?

Since its discovery, the Nipah virus has repeatedly struck parts of Asia, primarily in countries such as Bangladesh and India. The state of Kerala in India is a particularly affected area and has already experienced four outbreaks since 2018. These recurring incidents raise important questions. Despite modern medical advances and increased surveillance, the Nipah virus appears to continue to resurface. Why exactly? And what makes it so difficult to effectively combat and ultimately control this threat? The answers to these questions are critical to preventing future outbreaks and saving lives.

The disturbing danger of the Nipah virus: An in-depth look

The Nipah virus, although originally found in flying foxes, has emerged as a deadly threat to humans. While person-to-person transmission of the virus is not common, the effects of infection are often severe and, in many cases, fatal.

The initial symptoms of a Nipahvirus infection may include fever, headache, or respiratory symptoms, similar to many other viral illnesses. But what's really concerning is the virus's ability to cause a severe inflammation of the brain known as encephalitis. This brain inflammation can lead to a coma or even death, although the mortality rate for Nipah infections is impressively high. Even if some patients survive the acute phase of the disease, they may face long-term neurological sequelae that dramatically alter their lives.

The current situation: An alarm signal for the health authorities?

Regions with high population densities, such as the Indian state of Kerala, are particularly vulnerable to the rapid spread of disease. In such areas, a virus that has the potential to be transmitted from person to person can have devastating effects, not only health-wise, but also economically and socially.

Although experts currently believe the risk of a global pandemic from the Nipah virus is low, the virus' frighteningly high mortality rate, coupled with its ability to change and adapt, has put authorities on alert. This has led to drastic measures to contain the spread and protect the population from another health crisis. A delicate balance remains between vigilance and panic, and it is crucial that both the public and health experts are properly informed and act together.

The transmission routes

Interacting with flying foxes or their contaminated feces poses a high risk. A local drink, palm sap, has been identified as a source for the spread of the virus. Close contact with infected people can also lead to transmission, highlighting the importance of taking precautions.

Conclusion: Nipah virus, although regionally limited, poses a serious threat to affected areas. The nature of the virus, the high mortality rates and the possibilities of its transmission require a vigilant and informed global community.

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Related to the topic: Nipah and Hendra viruses at a glance


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