According to the district administration, educational institutions in Kerala’s Kozhikode district have been closed till September 24 due to the Nipah virus outbreak. This includes a range of educational institutions, from schools to professional colleges and tuition centers. To ensure that the learning process proceeds undisturbed, online lessons will continue as usual during this period.
According to State Health Minister Veena George, the list of people who have been in contact with infected persons is growing. A recent update, according to ANI, has revealed that the list now contains more than a thousand names. Perhaps more worrying is that of this extensive list, 327 are health care workers.
The contact list of people infected with Nipah virus also includes 29 people from other districts. A breakdown shows that most are from Malappuram (22), followed by Kannur and Thrissur (three each), and a lone case in Wayanad.
The Health Minister highlighted that of the people classified as high risk, 122 are healthcare professionals. This puts them at higher risk compared to 175 regular individuals who also fall under the high-risk category.
What is the Nipah virus?
The Nipah virus can cause symptoms ranging from mild respiratory problems to fatal encephalitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. The virus is transmitted by animals such as bats or pigs and even from human to human, leaving no room for complacency. Worryingly, there are no vaccines or specific treatments available; the primary story is supportive care.
Symptoms of the Nipah virus
For those infected, initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting and sore throat. According to the WHO, advanced stages can manifest within 24 to 48 hours as severe breathing problems, encephalitis, seizures and even coma.
The time between infection and the onset of symptoms varies from four to fourteen days, but can be up to 45 days. While most survivors make a full recovery from acute encephalitis, about 20% face persistent neurological problems such as seizures and personality changes, according to the WHO.
Treatment of the Nipah virus
Currently, no specific medications or vaccines exist to treat Nipah virus infections. Despite this, WHO has identified Nipah as a priority disease in their Research and Development Blueprint. For severe respiratory and neurological problems caused by the virus, intensive supportive care is the recommended course of treatment.
(With ANI inputs)
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Updated: Sep 16, 2023 08:25 IST
