Mon Sep 16 12:43:40 UTC 2024: ## Nipah Virus Outbreak in Kerala: 151 on Contact List, 5 Exhibit Mild Symptoms
**Malappuram, Kerala:** A 24-year-old student’s death in Malappuram, Kerala, has triggered alarm bells as tests confirmed the presence of the deadly Nipah virus. The Kerala Health Minister, Veena George, announced on Sunday that the virus was detected in the deceased’s samples by the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
As a precautionary measure, 151 individuals on the primary contact list have been identified and placed in isolation. Five of them have exhibited mild symptoms and their samples have been sent for testing. The health department is actively tracing contacts and monitoring the situation closely.
The Nipah virus, first identified in Malaysia in 1999, has a high fatality rate of up to 75%. Fruit bats are the natural carriers of the virus, which can spread to humans through contact with infected animals, particularly pigs and bats, or their body fluids. Human-to-human transmission is also possible.
Symptoms of Nipah infection include fever, headache, vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and acute encephalitis. These symptoms typically appear 4 to 14 days after exposure. The virus can cause lasting neurological damage in approximately 20% of infected individuals.
The health department has emphasized the importance of early diagnosis using RT-PCR or ELISA tests. They have also issued guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus, advising the public to avoid close contact with infected individuals, practice frequent handwashing, and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing any Nipah-like symptoms.
This recent outbreak in Kerala follows previous cases reported in Kozhikode and Ernakulam districts, raising concerns about the virus’s re-emergence in the region. The health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working diligently to contain the spread of the virus.
First Piper 