What is Nipah Virus that killed 14-year-old Kerala boy — symptom, risks, causes and Centre's advisory to state
Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus, and humans can become infected by accidentally consuming bat-contaminated fruits.When the first outbreak was recognised in Malaysia and Singapore, most human infections had resulted from direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues. "Transmission is thought to have occurred via unprotected exposure to secretions from the pigs, or unprotected contact with the tissue of a sick animal," the WHO said.Later, the outbreaks in Bangladesh and India was most likely caused by consumption of fruits or fruit products contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats.Human-to-human transmission of the Nipah virus has also been reported among families and caregivers of infected patients.
The WHO explained, “During the later outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, Nipah virus spread directly from human-to-human through close contact with people's secretions and excretions."Those infected with the Nipah virus suffer from a range of illnesses -- from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. It can cause severe disease and death in people, making it a public health concern.As per the WHO, those infected with the virus initially develop symptoms including fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat.
This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis.Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.According to the WHO, the incubation period – interval from infection to
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