In the southern Indian state of Kerala, several schools and offices have been closed after five cases of the deadly Nipah virus were confirmed.
According to foreign media, BBCcaused by a new epidemic death of two Three others, including a child, are being treated at a hospital.
Local authorities said they had tested 706 people, including 153 medical workers. No results are available at this time.
According to the aforementioned media reports, all the cases were reported in the northern Kozhikode district. kerala .
This virus can be transmitted from animals such as bats and pigs to humans, but it can also be transmitted from person to person.
The chief minister of the affected state said: Pinarayi Vijayan urged people to avoid crowds for the next 10 days.
He urged people to wear masks, but assured there was no need to panic.
It must be noted that this is the fourth Nipah outbreak in Kerala since 2018.
The first report was made in June 2018 and accurately recorded 17 deaths in the affected districts of Kozhikode and Malappuram in Kerala.
What is Nipah virus?
who (who) Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, which means it is “transmitted primarily from animals to humans, sometimes from humans to humans, and sometimes through contaminated food.”
“Infected individuals exhibit a variety of clinical symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory infection to fatal encephalitis,” he added.
” fruit bat Species belonging to the pteropod family, particularly the genus Pteropus, are natural hosts for Nipah virus and do not apparently cause disease,” WHO explains.
Infection in humans may be asymptomatic or cause acute respiratory illness (mild or severe) or fatal encephalitis. “Infected people initially exhibit flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and sore throat,” he says.
The fatality rate of the virus is estimated as follows: 40% and 75% However, this range may vary depending on the occurrence.
There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines for humans or animals. “In humans, treatment consists of supportive measures,” the WHO says.
Source: Biobiochile
