Nipah Virus Claims 9 Lives; Central Team Arrives In Kerala To Assist Doctors

Kerala: In a virus outbreak in North Kerala’s Kozhikode, around nine persons have died. Detected for the first time in the state, Nipah Virus (NiV) has high fatality rate and spreads mainly through bats, pigs and other animals. The National Virology Institute in Pune confirmed that the deceased were infected with NiV.

A high-level team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) arrived there on Monday to assist coping up, as directed by the Union Minister J P Nadda. “It is being suspected that the virus is being spread by bats. The team comprises officials from the department of Animal Husbandry, National Institute of Ummunology and Indian Council of Medical Research, among others. The ministry is in close touch with Kerala health department to monitor the situation,” a health ministry official said.

The deaths have triggered panic in the area, where 25 persons have been hospitalized with fever and suspected symptoms of encephalitis associated with Nipah virus.

Kozhikode district medical officer Jayasree V said they received the reports from the NIV, Pune regarding the virus. “Through secretions, the virus could spread from one person to another. it is a serious situation but there’s no need to panic. All those persons who were reportedly in contact with the infected are being closely monitored. We have asked the medical personnel to use all safety gear such as gloves and masks while dealing potentially infected persons. The collector has already ordered the area around the home of the family with the initial deaths to be cordoned off,” Jaysree said.

There also have been death reports from Malappuram district. “We cannot confirm at this point that the death of four persons here are due to Nipah virus. But they showed similar symptoms of viral fever and encephalitis, so it could be suspected. We are taking all precautions,” said district’s medical officer, Sakeena KJ.

Nipah virus was first identified during an outbreak of disease  at Kampung Sungai Nipah, Malaysia, in 1998.