The first person affected by the recent Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala was found in Goa. The Goa Medical College (GMC) quarantined a Kerala native who traveled to Goa after being affected by the deadly virus.
While the patient shows signs of Nipah Virus it will be clear once the test results are revealed. The Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane said, “It is not clear yet whether it is a Nipah case. We will have to wait for test results from Pune. The person admitted himself to the hospital after he felt he had some symptoms similar to those affected by Nipah and he has been kept in the isolation ward at the GMC.”
Mr. Rane assured the patient would be kept under quarantine until the results are received by the ministry.
The Center formed a team to investigate the recent outbreak of the Nipah virus in Kerala that has officially claimed 14 lives. The Director of National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) will lead the team.
Last week, the Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda tweeted, “Reviewed the situation of deaths related to Nipah virus in Kerala with Secretary Health. I have directed Director NCDC to visit the district and initiate required steps as warranted by the protocol for the disease in consultation with State Government.”
So far, nine deaths have been reported in Kozhikode out of which three have to confirmed to be the Nipah virus. The samples of the remaining victims are sent for testing to confirm the cause of death.
The Kerala State Health Minister K. K. Shylaja explained, “The kind of virus that caused the disease has not been ascertained. Blood and other samples of the deceased have been sent to the National Virology Institute in Pune. The results will be made available in a few days.”
The Nipah virus or NiV infection is a rare disease that shows symptoms like breathing trouble, inflammation of the brain, headache, fever, delirium, disorientation and drowsiness. This disease can cause the patient to fall into a coma within 48 hours of being infected.
The World Health Organization confirmed there is no vaccine for the virus yet. The United Nations Health body explained the main treatment for those infected is intensive supportive care.
The virus can infect animals just as bad as it affects humans with a 70% mortality rate. Nipah virus is spread by fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family and can be easily transmitted. The virus can spread from eating the fruit that has been in contact with the infected fruit bat. It also spreads from person to person through direct contact.
Also Read: Hyderabad Patients Tested Negative For Nipah Virus
