NIPAH VIRUS in KERALA Turning WORRISOME !

Kozhikode/New Delhi : For the first time, a positive case of Nipah infection surfaced in Kozhikode city last week, marking a precarious shift from its previous two occurrences in the rural areas of the district (earlier known as Calicut, on the Malabar Coast, where Vasco de Gama landed in 1498) .
All the 38 wards of the Feroke municipality, a part of the Calicut Urban. Agglomeration and sharing borders with the Kozhikode Corporation, have been virtually locked down for the first time, even though no positive cases have been reported there.

Seven divisions, namely, Kolathara, Kundayithode, Cheruvannur East, Cheruvannur West, Beypore Port, Beypore and Punchappadam of Kozhikode Corporation, have also been declared as containment zones.

Back in 2018, when the Nipah outbreak was initially reported in Perambra, about 40 km from the city, people led normal lives outside without much restrictions in urban areas. However, now, the entire district is on high alert because the disease has been confirmed to have spread around the hospital in Kozhikode city where the index patient was admitted.

Transmission of Nipah Virus :
1. People working with pigs and consuming pigs.
2. Farmers who come in contact with bats.
3. Consuming Fruits which are already bitten by bat.
4. Contact with people who already have Nipah virus infection.

Symptoms:

The initial presentation is non-specific, characterized by the sudden onset of fever, headache, muscle pain , nausea and vomiting. Neck rigidity and photophobia are also seen.
The disease rapidly progresses, with deterioration in consciousness leading to coma within five to seven days.

Diagnosis: 

The diagnosis is by ELISA which is currently done at National institute of Virology, Pune.

Treatment:

Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment and infected patients may require intensive care monitoring.

Prevention:

1. Avoid contact with pigs and pig handlers .

2. Maintain personal hygiene and intensive hand washing practices

3. Avoid consuming raw fruits, Consume only well cooked, clean, home made food till the outbreak settles down.

4. Preferably use N95 mask while travelling or working in public places to avoid person to person transmission.

5. Be aware of the symptoms and report to the doctor immediately for early diagnosis and treatment.

*Dr. Naresh Purohit (Epidemiologist And Principal Investigator for National Integrated Disease Surveillance Control Programme)

Dr. Purohit is an Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program of Govt. of India, Madhya Pradesh and several state organizations. He is also Advisor for National Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH).-MD, DNB, DIH, MHA, MRCP(UK), is an Epidemiologist,