Written By Lisa Murimi
Health authorities in Kerala, India, have issued an urgent alert following the death of a 14-year-old boy from the Nipah virus. The state’s Health Minister, Veena George, reported that an additional 60 individuals have been identified as high-risk and are currently under isolation and testing.
The boy, hailing from Pandikkad, succumbed to the virus on Sunday, just a day after his diagnosis. In response, the local population has been advised to take stringent precautions, including wearing masks in public and avoiding hospital visits unless absolutely necessary.
The Nipah virus, a zoonotic illness transmitted from animals such as pigs and fruit bats to humans, poses a severe threat according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus can also spread through contaminated food and direct contact with an infected person, earning it the designation of a priority pathogen by the WHO due to its epidemic potential.The symptoms of Nipah virus infection can vary but typically include the following:
1. Initial Symptoms:
– Fever
– Headache
– Muscle pain (myalgia)
– Vomiting
– Sore throat
2. Severe Symptoms:
– Dizziness
– Altered mental state (confusion or disorientation)
– Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
– Acute respiratory distress
– Seizures
In severe cases, encephalitis can progress rapidly, leading to coma within 24 to 48 hours. The incubation period (time from infection to the onset of symptoms) ranges from 5 to 14 days but can be as long as 45 days.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop, especially if there has been potential exposure to the virus. Early diagnosis and supportive care can improve outcomes.
Since its first detection in Kerala in 2018, the virus has caused numerous fatalities in the region. An investigation by Reuters last year highlighted that Kerala’s rapid urbanization and deforestation have created conditions conducive to the virus’s emergence, as animals increasingly come into closer contact with humans.
In light of this recent fatality, the Kerala state government has announced the development of an action plan to prevent a potential outbreak, recalling last year’s temporary closure of schools and offices following the confirmation of five Nipah cases.
