Biotech
Thursday, July 25th, 2024 12:02 pm EDT
Key Points
- Health authorities in Kerala are on high alert following a Nipah virus outbreak after a 14-year-old boy died, prompting extensive contact tracing and testing of high-risk individuals.
- The Nipah virus, with a fatality rate of up to 75%, has no vaccine or treatment and is transmitted from animals like fruit bats and pigs; it causes severe symptoms including brain-swelling fever.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the current outbreak to have a low risk of further transmission due to Kerala’s robust detection and public health measures, despite the region’s history of multiple outbreaks since 2018.
Health authorities in Kerala, a southern Indian state, are on high alert following a recent outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus, which has led to the death of a 14-year-old boy. The state government is currently undertaking extensive contact tracing to monitor and test individuals who came into contact with the deceased boy. Kerala Health Minister Veena George reported that the close relatives of the teenager have tested negative for the virus, but precautionary measures, such as wearing face masks in public, remain in place.
Sixty individuals identified as high-risk contacts are being tested for the virus. The Nipah virus, first identified 25 years ago in Malaysia, has a case fatality rate of up to 75% and poses a significant threat due to its potential to cause another pandemic. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Nipah virus, which is transmitted to humans from animals like fruit bats and pigs. It causes severe symptoms, including brain-swelling fever and acute respiratory infections.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the current outbreak in Kerala appears to have a “low risk” of further transmission, thanks to the state’s active and thorough contact tracing efforts. Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, emphasized that the Kerala government’s measures have been effective, as all 60 high-risk contacts are being tested for the virus.
Kerala has experienced multiple Nipah virus outbreaks since 2018, attributed to various factors including extensive tree loss and rapid urbanization, which have created favorable conditions for the virus to spread. The state’s efficient system for detecting and managing suspected cases has played a crucial role in its public health response. In a separate report, Kerala was identified as having some of the world’s leading “jump zones,” areas conducive to bat-borne viruses infecting humans.
Despite the current low risk of further transmission, the situation is being closely monitored by health authorities. Public gatherings have been curtailed, and some schools have been closed as a precaution. The National Centre for Disease Control, responsible for outbreak response in India, was not immediately available for comment.
This latest flare-up underscores the ongoing challenge posed by the Nipah virus and the importance of vigilant public health measures to prevent its spread. As Kerala continues to manage this outbreak, the health and safety of the population remain the top priority for state and national health authorities.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/25/nipah-virus-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know-as-india-issues-an-alert.html
