The deadly Nipah virus has reportedly resurfaced in Kerala once again after the 2018 outbreak. In an alarming development, a 12-year-boy died after contracting the virus.
Such is the alarming nature of the outbreak that the Centre has already rushed to the state with relevant teams for further assistance and collaboration. It should be noted that the last outbreak of the disease was witnessed in 2018 where 19 cases were confirmed and 17 people had died.
Details
As the entire nation keeps a tab on the once again increasing COVID-19 daily cases, a new potential outbreak is being witnessed in Kerala.
In a year that seems to be riddled with outbreaks and disease, the new Kerala outbreak comes at a time where Uttar Pradesh has also witnessed an outbreak of a deadly mysterious disease.
The infection, suspected to be a dengue-like disease, has already claimed the lives of over 50 people in the state, most of whom, were kids.
Also Read: UP: Mysterious Viral Outbreak Kills At Least 32 Kids in a Week, CM Sets up Special Teams
The Facts of the Matter
On Sunday, September 5, a 12-year-boy passed away while receiving treatment from a Kozhikode-based hospital in Kerala. The boy was admitted to the hospital since September 1 after complaints of multiple ailments.
On Saturday, September 4, Kerala Health Minister Veena George was quoted by news agency Press Trust of India saying, “Three samples—plasma, CSF and serum—were found infected. He was admitted to the hospital with a heavy fever four days ago. But on Saturday, his condition became worse. We had sent his samples for testing the day before yesterday.”
NCDC Team Rushed by Centre
The entire state is in a heightened state of alarm as certain reports from National Institute of Virology has confirmed that the boy had contracted the deadly virus. To combat the situation, a team of the NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control) has been already rushed by the Centre to the state.
“We formed various teams yesterday night and have started the tracing. Steps have been taken to isolate those who are the primary contact of the boy,” Health Minister was quoted saying, after the passing of the 12-year-old boy.
Also Read: COVID-19 in India to Enter Stage of “Endemicity”, Says Dr Soumya Swaminathan, WHO Chief Scientist
“No Need to Panic, Have to Exercise Caution”: Kerala Health Minister
Veena George, the successor of K. K. Shailaja, also added that there was no need to panic but exercising caution is important as of now. Further, she also claimed that no family members of the 12-year-boy has shown any symptoms of the virus so far.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has shared a press release, giving an account of the steps the ministry has taken and will be taking in Kerala to combat the situation.
“The following immediate public health measures have been advised by the Centre:
- Active case search in the family, families, village and areas with similar topography (especially Malappuram).
- Active contact tracing (for any contacts) during past 12 days.
- Strict quarantine of the contacts and isolation of any suspects.
- Collection and transportation of samples for lab testing,” the MoHFW press release read.
(with inputs from PIB)
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What Makes Nipah Virus so Deadly?
Any virus which has a high-fatality rate associated to it and has no set course of vaccination treatment in place is alarming to say the least. With a death rate ranging between 40% – 75%, and no vaccines developed as of yet, Nipah is one of the most alarming viruses that has emerged from Asia.
To give our readers perspective, the World Health Organization every year reviews a list of viruses that may cause the next pandemic. It then accordingly prioritizes fund allocation for the research of the virus. Nipah virus is one of the top 10 pathogens in the said list.
Further, another alarming aspect of the virus is its incubation period. The disease takes as long as over 30-45 days to incubate in a host, meaning a person could go on about their lives, unaware that they are spreading the virus to a slew of other people.
