Nipah Virus Kerala: 6 Cases Confirmed In Kozhikode

Kerala's Kozhikode district has reported another case of Nipah infection, as confirmed by the office of State Health Minister Veena George on Friday. A 39-year-old man has tested positive for the Nipah virus based on his sample results. He has been under observation in a hospital.

It was noted that he had earlier sought treatment at a private hospital where other Nipah-positive individuals had received care for different health issues. With this latest case, the total count of Nipah cases in Kozhikode now stands at six.

Meanwhile, the state government have initiated the procurement of the only available anti-viral treatment, a monoclonal antibody, through an order from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It's important to note that this treatment has not yet been clinically proven.

In an effort to curb the spread of the lethal Nipah virus, the Kerala government has also issued orders to temporarily close all educational institutions in Kozhikode and other containment zones.

The virus strain detected in the state is identified as the Bangladesh variant, which is capable of human-to-human transmission and possesses a high mortality rate, although it is less contagious, as previously mentioned by the Kerala government.

The state's health minister has reported that the condition of all 76 individuals classified as high-risk contacts remains stable. Additionally, 13 individuals with mild symptoms are currently under hospital monitoring, with only the child being treated in the Intensive Care Unit.

Nipah Virus: What is this fatal virus?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah infection is a zoonotic illness that can be transmitted from animals to humans. It can also spread through contaminated food or directly from person to person. The incubation period for Nipah Virus ranges from 4 to 14 days.

Nipah Virus: Symptoms

Symptoms of Nipah Virus include:

• Fever
• Headaches
• Myalgia
• Vomiting
• Sore throat
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Altered consciousness
• Neurological signs indicative of acute encephalitis