Nipah virus
infection is a typical infection caused due to Nipah Virus. This virus was
first identified in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998, at that time this virus was
caused in pigs and then transferred to people. There is no exact vaccine for
this virus. Recently this virus was found in Kerala and this virus gulped eight
lives. This causes severe disease in both human and animals. Nipah virus is a
RNA virus in the genus henipavirus. This virus basically circulates in the
specific type of fruit bats.
Symptoms:
The
symptoms start to appear within 3–14 days after exposure.
·
Fever
·
Muscle
pain
·
Head
aches
·
Sore
throat
·
Vomiting
·
Dizziness
·
Drowsiness
·
Mental
confusion and disorientation
·
Brain
swelling
These symptoms can
progress into coma as fast as in 24–48 hours.
Prevention:
As
of now there is no vaccine available purely for Niv. So it would be better to
know the prevention for this virus. Bats
are known to drink toddy that is collected in open containers, and occasionally
urinate in it, which makes it contaminated with the virus. Surveillance
and awareness are important for preventing future outbreaks. Prevention include the following:
þ Refrain having fruits that are seem to
be bitten by some birds or bats as fruit bats are the main reason for this virus.
þ Ensure you wash fruits well before
eating or cooking.
þ Avoid drinking unpasteurised fruit
juices.
þ Beware of domestic animals make sure
they do not consume fruits contaminated by bats.
þ Avoiding direct contact from infected
pigs, bats and human.
þ Wear gloves and other
protective clothing while treating or meeting NiV-infected people.
þ People should be
cautious while sharing a washroom with an infected person as the urine of
a NiV person can have traces of the virus.
þ Avoid climbing trees
which you suspect have bat secretions - such as saliva or droppings.
þ Also, regular hand
washing should be carried out after visiting or caring for people infected with
NiV disease.
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