Nipah virus strikes Kerala; native of Valanchery confirmed of disease

MALAPPURAM: The Nipah virus has once again surfaced in Kerala. A 42-year-old woman from Valanchery in Malappuram has been diagnosed with the disease. She is presently under treatment at a hospital in Perinthalmanna. The results from the Pune Virology Lab have turned positive. The samples were sent for testing after she had symptoms like fever, cough and difficulties in breathing for the past few days. It is not clear from where she contracted the disease. Two in her house had fever.

According to World Health Organization, Nipah is a zoonotic viral disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Reports say Nipah was first confirmed in Malaysia. The virus was transmitted from pigs in Malaysia. The disease was later confirmed in Bangladesh and India. It is believed that it spread in both countries after eating fruits mixed with urine or saliva of infected bats. This virus belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae.

Symptoms
Symptoms start five to 14 days after infection with the virus. The main symptoms are fever, headache, dizziness and fainting. Cough, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, blurred vision, etc. may also occur.

Transmission
Possible for rapid spread. Fruit eating bats are the main carriers. The disease can be transmitted from pigs and bats. Earlier, it was confirmed that Nipah spread in Kerala from bats.