Nipah Virus: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that two people died due to Nipah virus in Kozhikode, Kerala. The Health Minister has confirmed this. At the same time, after the death was confirmed, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that a central team has been sent to Kerala to take stock of the situation and assist the state government in Nipah virus management. Let us tell you, after discovering the unnatural death of two people in Kozhikode district, the state government had sent five samples to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing. The samples were sent to find out whether they were infected with Nipah virus or not.
Two people died due to Nipah
It is noteworthy that after discovering the unnatural death of two people in Kozhikode district, the Kerala government has sent five samples to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing to find out whether these samples are infected with Nipah virus or not. No. Kerala Health Department had recently issued an alert regarding Nipah virus in Kozhikode after the death of two people. Let us tell you, out of the samples that have been sent to the Institute of Virology for testing, one sample is from the deceased and four are from his relatives.
Health Minister Veena George reviewed the situation
Here, State Health Minister Veena George went to the affected district and took stock of the situation. After this he also chaired a high-level meeting to assess the virus. Speaking to the media after the meeting, he said that the government is taking all precautionary measures regarding the disease. He said the first death occurred in a private hospital and the deceased’s children, brother and his relatives were being treated as they were suffering from fever.
How does Nipah virus spread?
Nipah is a dangerous virus that is transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected bats, infected pigs or other NiV infected people. This comes under the category of serious infection. The infection is also spread through fruit bats or flying foxes, which are natural reservoirs of Hendra and Nipah viruses. This virus is present in the urine, feces, saliva and delivery fluid of bats. Which affects humans.
What is Nipah virus?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nipah virus was first detected in Kampung Sungai Nipah, Malaysia in 1998. From here it got its name Nipah virus. At that time some pig farmers had brain fever. Therefore, the pig was said to be the carrier of this serious disease. It was also revealed in Singapore in 1999. It first affects pigs, bats or other creatures. After this, it also infects the humans who come in contact with it.
Symptoms of Nipah virus infection
Nipah virus is a dangerous infection spreading virus. After contracting the virus and getting infected, there is problem in breathing in the initial stages. After this, symptoms like fever, headache, mental confusion, vomiting and unconsciousness appear. In humans, Nipah virus is associated with encephalitis, which causes swelling of the brain. It usually takes five to fourteen days for the symptoms of infection to appear. It is so dangerous that as the infection increases, the possibility of the patient going into coma also increases.
What is the method of protection?
There is no vaccine available to prevent Nipah virus infection. One solution to treat people suffering from this disease is to avoid using raw fruits contaminated with bats. Well-cooked, clean food should be used. To avoid this virus, one should avoid eating fruits, especially dates. Avoid eating fruits fallen from trees. One should avoid coming in contact with people taking care of pigs. Apart from this, it is very important to maintain distance from the infected patient.