Published by: Priyanka Deshpande
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed 2 Nipah virus deaths & 2 infections in Kozhikode district in a Facebook post on Tuesday (September 12). Here’s all you need to know about the virus.
Nipah Virus, according to WHO, is a deadly zoonotic disease primarily transmitted from animals to humans, with potential human-to-human transmission. It majorly affects bats, pigs, dogs, & horses.
Nipah Virus initially presents as fever, progressing to severe symptoms like headache, breathing issues, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness, &, in extreme cases, disorientation, seizures, & encephalitis.
Currently, no cure exists for Nipah Virus. Health experts recommend basic precautions to protect individuals from the infection.
Washing hands frequently to avoid infections from germs
Avoid any physical contact with the sick animals in the surrounding area
Avoid trees or bushes around, which are usually the natural habitats of the bats
Avoid consuming anything that can be contaminated
Avoid consuming any fruit that has bat bites
Prevent yourself from coming in contact with saliva, blood or any other bodily fluid of an infected person