Nipah Virus: How dangerous is Nipah virus, what is the way to avoid it?

News Topical, Digital Desk : Nipah Virus In Kolkata: Two suspected cases of Nipah virus were reported in West Bengal on January 11th. Following this, Nipah virus is once again in the news. This is due to the virus's extremely high mortality rate and the lack of a proven treatment or vaccine. The health department is taking this matter very seriously. It spreads very rapidly, so negligence can have dangerous consequences.

Nipah virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1999. Subsequent cases have been reported in Bangladesh and India. The virus is primarily transmitted by fruit bats, but can also be transmitted to humans through pigs and some other animals. Contact with an infected person can also spread the disease.

Why is Nipah virus so dangerous?

According to health experts, the mortality rate of Nipah virus can range from 40 to 70 percent, which is much higher than that of viruses like the coronavirus. For this reason, the World Health Organization has included it in its list of priority diseases for research and development. Cases of Nipah have been reported in India before. In some instances, the virus has spread within hospitals, where people caring for patients have themselves become infected. This clearly shows that the virus can spread rapidly from human to human.

What is Nipah virus and how does it spread?

Nipah is a zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. Its main routes of transmission are:

• coming into contact with the blood, saliva, urine, or feces of an infected bat or animal
• Eating fruit that has been eaten or contaminated by bats
• Drinking raw date juice
• Coming into very close contact with an infected person

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms typically include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, and a sore throat. Later, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, and encephalitis can occur. In severe cases, the patient may even fall into a coma within 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms of the infection can take 4 to 14 days, sometimes up to 45 days, to appear.

Prevention is the best cure

Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for Nipah virus, so caution is the most powerful weapon. 

• Stay away from animals like bats and pigs
• Do not drink juice from half-cut fruits or raw dates.
• Wash hands frequently with soap
• Avoid contact with infected or suspected patients
• Follow health department warnings and advice

Where have Nipah cases been found?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of Nipah virus have so far been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Data suggests that while the virus is spread in limited areas, the threat remains serious.

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