Nipah virus risk amplifies as 700 found on contact list, 77 in high-risk

India's Kerala is currently battling against the highly contagious Nipah virus, the first outbreak of which occurred in the state in 2018. Until now, 2 deaths have been reported from the state, which earlier was said to be 'unnatural'. The first time India witnessed the Nipah outbreak was in 2018. On 19 May 2018, a Nipah virus disease (NiV) outbreak was reported from the Kozhikode district of Kerala, India, and within one month a total of 17 deaths and 18 confirmed cases were reported from the state.

Within a few days of identifying the first Nipah case in the state, a total of 5 cases have been reported in the state. The state government has found the contact list of the relatives of those who have been infected. It has been found that around 700 people have come in close contact with the patients. Out of these 700, about 77 are in the high-risk category, Kerala health minister Veena George said.

The Nipah variant seen in Kerala this time is the Bangladesh variant. This variant is said to be less infectious than other variants though it has a high mortality rate. It spreads faster between humans to humans.

The early symptoms of Nipah seen in infected people are fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting, and sore throat. This is followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis. "Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours," the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.

To contain the spread of the infection, the state government has imposed restrictions in Kozhikode. The government has banned gathering in large number of people at festivals and functions. 58 wards across the district have been declared containment zones.

Since there is no drug available against Nipah infection, the only way to prevent getting the infection is to follow safe hygiene rules. Clean your hands regularly if you are attending to an infected person. Always wash the vegetables and fruits properly before consuming them. Avoid touching exposed surfaces. Wear masks if you are going to a crowded place.

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