Nipah Virus Strikes Again: Kerala Records Fifth Infection.

Nipah Virus Strikes Again: Kerala Records Fifth Infection.

pic cridt: NDTV

Kozhikode, Kerala, continues to grapple with the resurgence of the Nipah virus, as Health Minister Veena George confirmed another case on Wednesday. The afflicted individual, a 24-year-old health worker at a private hospital in Kozhikode, adds to the rising tally of Nipah cases in the state, bringing the total to five.

Contact List Expands, High-Risk Category Concerns

Presently, 706 individuals find themselves on the contact list, raising concerns over the spread of the virus. Among these, 77 are categorized as high-risk, while 153 are healthcare workers. Encouragingly, none of those in the high-risk category are currently displaying symptoms of the virus.

Hospitalizations and Mild Symptoms

At this stage, 13 individuals are under hospital observation, exhibiting mild symptoms like headaches. The government has strongly recommended that high-risk contacts remain confined to their homes to prevent further transmission.

Community Efforts and Containment Zones

In a proactive move, the Kerala government has established 19 core committees to streamline efforts in managing the Nipah crisis. Local self-government volunteers have also organized teams to deliver essentials to those in isolation. So far, Nipah has claimed two lives in Kerala.

Proactive Detection and Isolation Strategies

Health Minister Veena George stressed the importance of “proactive detection” of infections before laboratory confirmation. The health administration is closely monitoring clinical symptoms to enable early alerts. The focus remains on tracing contacts of infected individuals and isolating those displaying symptoms.

Containment Measures and Education Impact

As part of containment efforts, seven village panchayats in Kozhikode district have been designated as containment zones. This strategy is aimed at restricting the virus’s spread. In response, Education Minister V Sivankutty has directed the Public Education Director to organize online classes for students within these containment zones, ensuring that education remains accessible from the safety of their homes.

Understanding Nipah Virus: A Zoonotic Threat

The Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus that typically transfers from animals, such as bats or pigs, to humans. It can also spread through contaminated food or direct human-to-human transmission. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the primary natural hosts of the Nipah virus.

Nipah Virus Symptoms: From Mild to Severe

Nipah virus infection manifests with a spectrum of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. In humans, initial symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat. These can progress to dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs, indicating acute encephalitis. Severe cases may also experience atypical pneumonia and acute respiratory distress, potentially leading to coma within 24 to 48 hours.

Long Incubation Period and Varied Outcomes

The incubation period for the Nipah virus can range from 4 to 14 days, with some reports indicating up to 45 days. While most individuals who survive acute encephalitis eventually recover fully, some experience long-term neurological consequences, including seizure disorders and personality changes. The case fatality rate varies between 40% to 75%, influenced by local epidemiological surveillance and clinical management capabilities.