Health officials have issued an urgent warning after a 14-year-old boy died of a deadly virus known to cause fatal brain swelling and other serious symptoms in humans. The boy, from Kerala in India, died after contracting nipah virus.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nipah virus infection is transmitted from animals like pigs and fruit bats to humans. However, it can also be transmitted through contaminated food and through contact with an infected person.
The virus has been listed as a priority pathogen by the WHO because of its potential to trigger an epidemic. Indian media outlets reported that the 14-year-old died on Sunday, a day after he was confirmed to have the virus.
Since the virus was first reported in Kerala in 2018 it has been linked to dozens of deaths. And health officials say an additional 60 people in the area have been identified as being in the high-risk category of having the disease.
In response, people in the region have now been asked to wear masks in public areas and avoid visiting people in hospitals. Fatality rates from infection can be as high as 75 percent, depending on local health services and outbreak control.
Symptoms of nipah
The WHO explains that human infections of nipah can range from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis – brain swelling.
Initial symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
If someone is experiencing encephalitis they could also demonstrate dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness and other neurological changes.
The WHO adds: “Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress.
“Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.”
Symptoms typically begin between four and 14 days after infection.
There is currently no cure or vaccine for nipah in humans or animals.
To lower your risk of contracting nipah virus (NiV), Travel Health Pro advises you:
- Pay careful attention to personal hygiene
- Do not consume raw date palm sap (NiV can survive in the palm sap for days). Raw or partially fermented date palm juice should be boiled before consumption
- All fruit should be thoroughly washed with clean water and peeled before consumption; fruit found on the ground which may have been partially eaten by animals should not be consumed
- Close, unprotected physical contact with people with NiV infection should be avoided
- Avoid contact with blood or body fluids of anyone infected with NiV. Regular hand washing should be carried out after caring for or visiting sick people
- Avoid contact with bats (e.g. areas where they roost) and pigs as much as possible
- Gloves and other protective clothing should be worn if handling sick animals or their tissues, and during slaughtering and culling
“You should seek advice from a health professional if you develop symptoms whilst you are overseas,” it says.
