Nipah virus: Fear paves way to normality in Kerala

Dubai: Fear and panic are slowly giving way to normality in the deadly-virus hit areas of Kozhikode in the south Indian state of Kerala, India.

Fear gripped this state of about 34 million people last week, soon after three members of a family died after falling prey to the killer virus Nipah.

People wear masks as they wait outside a casualty ward at a hospital in Kozhikode in the southern state of Kerala, India

So far, Nipah has claimed 11 lives in Kerala. Among the 160 samples sent for testing at the virology institute, 13 cases have been tested positive for Nipah, according to reports.

Yes, the virus, which has no cure, is still active and the fear lingers, but it has been blown out of proportion by social media users by spreading fake information, Abdul Bari, a Kozhikode-based social worker, told Gulf News over the phone.

To add to it, officials as a precautionary measure closed all nurseries in the district and urged people to refrain from group meetings and gatherings, which did fan the fear, he said.

Nipah virus manifests with a mild fever, but can then progress to a full-blown acute respiratory infection and encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. There is no vaccine for the Nipah virus. The usual treatment is supportive care. 

“This is a new situation for us; we have no prior experience in dealing with the Nipah virus,” K.K. Shailaja, Kerala health minister, told news agencies. “We are hopeful we can put a stop to the outbreak.”

An advisory issued by state health secretary said travelling to any part of Kerala was safe. But if travellers wished to be extra cautious, they could avoid the four districts Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur, it said.

Nipah Virus: Here’s everything you wanted to know | Economic Times

"It is not an airborne infection, so without coming into contact with an infected person, there is no risk of contracting the disease," Dr Jazim A K, Assistant professor of Medicine, Government Medical College Manjeri in Malappuram, told Gulf News over the phone.

Lack of awareness is the biggest threat; people spreading unverified reports and fake news are adding fuel to the fire, he said. It is much better now, people are more calm and aware of the situation, the doctor said. 

The rush to hospitals has also come to a minimal in the last two days; also no new cases have been reported, the doctor said.

A member of an NGO cleans a cot outside the casualty ward at a hospital in Kozhikode in Kerala in the southern state of Kerala, India

The health department stepped in fast and took all necessary measure, like creating special wards and isolation units for patients, he said. Also, protective gear were supplied and precautionary measures were taken to curb the disease from spreading.

Initially, when a health worker died, it also triggered panic among health workers, Dr Jasim said. A nurse, Lini Sajeesh, died while tending to Nipah-virus infected patients.

"We can't run away, as health workers we have to deal with the problem, come what may and that's our job," Dr Jazim said.

Henk Bekedam, the World Health Organisation’s representative to India, said the agency was monitoring the outbreak. “Both the central and the state health authorities have been quick in responding to the situation and have promptly deployed teams and experts to the village to further assess the situation,” he said.

People were initially reluctant to visit the houses of the deceased, but now the scenario is changing, said social worker Abdul Bari. "People are travelling from other parts of the country and abroad to Kozhikode, I am sure it will all pass very soon," he said.

DEADLY OUTBREAK

â– What is Nipah virus?

Nipah is a highly contagious and deadly virus rst identi ed in 1998-99, when pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore became sick. During that outbreak, 300 people were infected and 100 died.

HOW DID IT START?

â– The outbreak started in the Malappuram district with three people being infected: a father, V Moosa, and his two sons, Mohammad Sadiq and Mohammad Salih. All three have since died, with Moosa being the latest victim on Thursday.

â– A nurse, Lini Sajeesh, who was involved in treating the family, also contracted the disease and died.

 The first three people who got infected, had bought a plot in an area near their house. This plot had an old well, which all three of them helped in cleaning. This well was full of Nipah-infected bats.”

 - DR BIJAYRAJ R | Consultant-Family Medicine, Aster MIMS, Kozhikode 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE NIPAH VIRUS AFFECTS HUMANS?

â– Once the virus a
ects a human, there is an incubation period as it spreads, which could range from 4 to 14 days.

â– While this could be without any indication of disease, people usually show symptoms of mild fever, muscle pain, cough and fatigue.

■The condition can then progress to full-blown acute respiratory infection and encephalitis (in­ammation of the brain tissue).

â– Both of these conditions could be fatal: the patients can also slip into a coma once the encephalitis reaches severe conditions.

HOW DOES THE INFECTION SPREAD BETWEEN HUMANS?

â– The spread of infection is established to be through body 
fluids.

â– If someone sneezes or coughs, drops or particles of the 
uids may be inhaled by an unsuspecting person.

â– The virus is not known to be able to survive in the air or transfer that way.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

â– The death rate from the Nipah virus is estimated to be about 75%.

â– There is no treatment or vaccine available: the primary treatment for humans is intensive supportive care.

■However, after-effect of encephalitis on survivors can result in periodic seizures or relapse into encephalitis

â– The virus is on the WHO list of Blueprint priority diseases.

â– The WHO has urged people to avoid eating fallen fruits and uncooked vegetables, and restrain from drinking raw fluids that come from trees.

- Dona Cherian/Guides Writer/©Gulf News

THE UPDATES

US biotech works on Nipah vaccine
â– A global coalition set up a year ago to fight epidemics has struck a $25 million deal with two US biotech companies to accelerate work on a vaccine against the braindamaging Nipah virus. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations said yesterday that Profectus BioSciences and Emergent BioSolutions would receive up to $25 million to advance development and manufacturing of a shot against the bat-borne disease. There is currently no vaccine for Nipah.

Public meetings banned in districts
â– Kozhikode collector UV Jose has banned till May 31 all public meetings and training courses to avoid assembly of people in the district. Authorities have also issued a protocol to be carried out when the last rites of victims of Nipah virus are carried out. While cremation is favored as the best method to stop the further spread of infection, in case families opt for burial, the body will have to be covered in a polythene bag and then put into a very deep pit, officials from the Kerala health department said.

Cyber police file fake news complaints
â– Following a complaint from the Kerala health department, the state’s cyber police has registered a case against misuse of social media with lots of fake news being circulated about the Nipah virus. State police chief L Behra had earlier warned  against dissemination of false information, saying strong action would be taken against people who resort to it. The health department filed a complaint but violators are yet to be named.