New Delhi: Nipah virus continues to be a threat in India, after a 24-year-old man died at a private hospital in Malappuram who was infected with Nipah virus, announced Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday. According to the reports of the District Medical Officer, the testing samples were collected from the patient and sent to Kozhikode Medical College for further examination. Later, the reports came out to be positive for encephalitis. Not only this, but so far about 151 people have been identified as the primary source of the spread. Reports note that the 24-year-old was a student in Bengaluru and came in contact with people who were infected with the virus.
The information about all of them has been collected and the ones who came into direct contact with others have been kept under quarantine or isolation period. As per the reports, after five people who were kept under isolation started to show mild symptoms, their samples were sent for testing purposes.
What is the Nipah Virus?
Nipah virus is a bat-borne zoonotic virus that causes Nipah Virus infection in human beings and other animals. The disease can be fatal and has a high mortality rate. According to Cleveland Clinic, the first case of the Nipah virus took place when people were in contact with infected animals like pigs. However, later the researchers identified that bats were the source of the virus.
How does the Nipah Virus spread?
The Nipah virus is highly contagious and can spread via bodily fluids such as saliva, poop, pee and blood. The virus mainly spreads from animals to humans but it can also transmit from individual to individual and this is the reason why it is necessary to take extra precautions.
How to safeguard yourself from the Nipah virus?
In an earlier conversation with News9, Dr Vikram Vora shared some easy ways to safeguard yourself, some of them include:
In order to prevent the spread of the virus, it is extremely crucial to take critical precautionary steps, such as maintaining good hand hygiene
Avoid close contact with animals in the infected areas
Avoid consuming food or drinks that may be infected with bats
Avoid areas that are frequented by bats and avoid coming in contact with them
You also have to take the necessary steps when it comes to travelling, avoid close contacts with human beings
Nipah virus is a bat-borne zoonotic virus that causes Nipah Virus infection in human beings and other animals. The disease can be fatal and has a high mortality rate. According to Cleveland Clinic, the first case of the Nipah virus took place when people were in contact with infected animals like pigs. However, later the researchers identified that bats were the source of the virus. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
