In the India health authorities took extreme measures to prevent a Nipah virus epidemic del mortal, this after the death of two people recorded due to this rare, but dangerous, disease. According to the information offered by the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, the cases were reported in the province of Kozhikode, where residents are asked to act cautiously and follow health recommendations, to avoid a great disaster.
Through a press release, Pinarayi Vijayan assured that at least two people have died due to the virus, which has been seen since 2018, so it Classes and face-to-face office activities are suspended. “We should not be afraid, but face this situation with caution,” explained the official on his social networks. For their part, the Indian health authorities remember that Kerala is already facing a deadly outbreak due to this disease in 2018; Because of this event, 17 people lost their lives and more than 230 people were tested to prevent the spread of the virus.
What is Nipah virus and what are its symptoms?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nipah virus is zoonotic, ie usually transmitted from animals to humans, and sometimes also from person to person and through contaminated food. In infected people, it causes acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis. Since its discovery, the virus has only caused a few known outbreaks in Asia, but it annually infects a wide variety of animals and causes severe illness and death in humans. , making it a public health problem.
The WHO warns that human infection can be asymptomatic or causal acute respiratory disease. Infected people initially have flu-like symptoms such as fever, vomiting and sore throat; This may be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs. acute encephalitis. Some people can also get atypical pneumonia and serious breathing problems, such as acute dyspnea. In severe cases, encephalitis and seizures appear, progressing to coma in 24 to 48 hours.
There are no treatments for the infection
The incubation period of the virus is believed to be between 4 and 14 days. However, incubation periods of up to 45 days have been recorded. Most people who survive acute encephalitis make a full recovery, but chronic neurological conditions have been described in survivors. It is estimated that the 20% of patients are left with neurological sequelae such as seizures and personality changes.
Currently, there is no specific medicine or vaccine for the infection through the Nipah virus, despite the fact that it is a priority in the WHO research and development plan. Health authorities recommend that infected patients receive intensive supportive treatment for severe respiratory and neurological complications.
