Health

Nipah Virus in Kerala: Health Alert In Kozhikode After 2 Unnatural Deaths!!

The Kerala Health Department issued a health alert in Kozhikode district following two suspected Nipah virus-related deaths, prompting a high-level meeting led by the state's health minister, Veena George.

Nipah Virus in Kerala:  Kerala Health Department issues health alert in Kerala after 2 unnatural deaths, Here’s all you need to know!


On September 11, The Kerala Health Department issued a health alert in Kozhikode district after two unnatural deaths, suspected to be caused by the Nipah virus infection. 

According to a PTI report, Veena George, the state’s minister of health, held a high-level meeting to examine the situation on Monday night, according to a statement from the health department.

According to the report, the Nipah virus is suspected to be the reason for two “unnatural” deaths that followed fevers which were reported from a private hospital.

It was also mentioned that family members of one of the deceased people had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Notably, incidents of Nipah virus infection-related mortality have been documented in the Kozhikode district in both 2018 and 2021. On May 19, 2018, Kozhikode saw the first outbreak of the Nipah virus (NiV) in southern India.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic disease that can be passed from person to person, through contaminated food, or directly from animal to human.

According to WHO, the virus can also cause serious illness in pigs and other animals, costing farmers a lot of money.

The symptoms of a Nipah infection can range from respiratory difficulties to deadly encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Fever, headache, cough, breathing difficulties, and vomiting are some of the symptoms. Disorientation, convulsions, and coma are more severe symptoms. The World Health Organization estimates that the mortality rate for Nipah infections ranges from 40% to 75%.

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The global health organization emphasizes that raising awareness is the only method to lessen or avoid human Nipah infection. It suggests using public service announcements to urge people to thoroughly wash fruits before eating them and to take care after coming into touch with affected individuals.

UPDATE: In a current instance, the Kerala government has asked the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) to provide a monoclonal antibody so that a nine-year-old fighting the deadly Nipah virus can be treated. It should be noted that despite being the sole anti-viral remedy available for Nipah virus infection, it has not yet received clinical validation. The youngster is still serious and receiving ventilator support, per a report from PTI.

“The monoclonal antibody has been ordered with the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), and it will be sent to Kozhikode soon. According to PTI, Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George stated that the imported medication is already on hand at the ICMR.

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Shriya Gupta

Journalist, Talks about Politics, Culture and International Affairs. Love to see things through the lenses. Short Films and Documentries make me More excited.
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