India Authorities in the southern state of Kerala have reported the deadly Nipah the virus A medical alert has been issued after the death of a 14-year-old youth due to infection.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus, meaning it is transmitted from animals such as pigs and bats to humans and can cause encephalitis. The incubation period (period of being sick after exposure to the virus) for this virus ranges from four to 14 days.
The victim was on a ventilator at a Malappuram hospital and suffered a cardiac arrest at 10.50 am local time on Sunday.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said: ‘The youth was brought in in a state of unconsciousness. He was passing very little urine. Later he suffered a massive heart attack. The doctors tried their best to save the boy but unfortunately he died.’
Veena George said that the National Institute of Virology in Pune has confirmed that the young man was infected with the Nipah virus.
Nipah has been classified as a ‘priority pathogen’ by the World Health Organization due to its potential to cause epidemics. There is no vaccine or treatment available in the world to prevent this infection.
The virus has caused dozens of deaths in Kerala since it first appeared in the southern state in 2018. The virus was first identified in Malaysia 25 years ago and has since spread to Bangladesh, India and Singapore.
Its symptoms include high fever, vomiting, respiratory infection, while in severe cases, inflammation of the brain and seizures can lead to coma.
The health minister said that the last rites of the young man will be performed under the international protocol related to preventing the spread of the virus. Veena George said: ‘We will speak to the boy’s family to finalize the cremation formalities.’
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The Kerala government has set up 25 committees to identify and isolate any infected people.
According to the Press Trust of India, the health minister said that contact tracing has been initiated after which high-risk contacts have been isolated and their samples sent for testing. have gone
At least three people have been isolated at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital and four at Manjeri Government Medical College Hospital, he said.
Veena George said: ‘One in four people at Manjeri GMCH is in the intensive care unit. The results of the samples taken from them will be received soon. All of them have viral fever. However, there is no need to panic and contact persons should not worry.
In Malappuram, a total of 246 people are included in the list, out of which 63 have been placed in the high risk category.
A mobile testing lab from the National Institute of Virology Pune will reach the district today, the health minister told The New Indian Express.
According to Hindustan Times, authorities have urged people in the suspected area to wear masks as a precaution and avoid visiting hospitals.
Veena George said, ‘Strict surveillance and restrictions will be imposed within a radius of three kilometers from the center of Pandakad area.’
Authorities have also warned people against eating fruits that are half-eaten or that have been eaten by birds or animals.
Eat fruits only after washing them properly. Do not consume the local coconut drink today and other drinks stored in open containers.’
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2024-07-24 01:00:09
