India on Alert to Contain Outbreak of Deadly Nipah Virus

livemint.com:

Authorities in southern India scaled up efforts to contain an outbreak of Nipah virus after two people died of the disease, which originates in animals and can in severe cases cause respiratory illness and fatal brain swelling. The second person died early this week, a Kerala health official said on Friday, while four more, including a child, have tested positive and remain under treatment. Earlier, one person died of the virus, on Aug.

30. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said a statewide health alert had been issued and asked residents to remain careful and follow the health department’s safety guidelines. “We should not be afraid, but face this situation with caution," Vijayan said.

Authorities set up containment zones around villages deemed high risk, restricted public transport and put in place lockdown measures, such as ordering all shops to close barring those providing essential goods. India’s health minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, said a central team had been sent to Kerala to assess the situation and assist the state government in managing the virus. Nipah virus was first recorded among pig farmers in Malaysia in 1999, according to the World Health Organization.

Outbreaks have mainly occurred since then in South Asia or Southeast Asia. India has seen cases of the virus in West Bengal state, as well as Kerala. The virus, believed to originate in fruit bats, can spread from animals to people, but can also be transmitted human-to-human and via fruit-tree products contaminated by bat urine or saliva.