Nipah virus is a type of virus that can infect both animals and humans. It is named after a village in Malaysia, where it was first discovered in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers. Since then, it has also caused outbreaks in Bangladesh, India, and other countries in Asia.
Nipah virus can cause different symptoms in
people, depending on how they are exposed to it. Some people may not have any symptoms at all, while others may develop fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. In some cases, the virus can affect the brain and cause confusion, drowsiness, seizures, and coma. Nipah virus can be fatal, with a death rate of about 40% to 75%.
Nipah virus can spread from animals to humans, or from humans to humans. The natural host of the virus is a type of fruit bat, which can carry the virus without getting sick. People can get infected by eating fruits or drinking juices that are contaminated with the bat’s saliva or urine. People can also get infected by coming into direct contact with sick pigs or their body fluids, as pigs can also catch the virus from bats. Human-to-human transmission can occur when someone has close contact with an infected person’s secretions or excretions.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Nipah virus infection. The only way to prevent it is to avoid exposure to the sources of infection. This means avoiding contact with bats and sick pigs, and not eating or drinking anything that may be contaminated by them. It also means practicing good hygiene and wearing protective equipment when caring for someone who is sick with Nipah virus. If you have any symptoms of Nipah virus infection, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Nipah virus is a serious public health threat that needs more research and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed it as one of the priority diseases that pose a risk of causing epidemics or pandemics. The WHO is working with countries and partners to improve surveillance, diagnosis, and response to Nipah virus outbreaks.
Dr. Karuturi Subrahmanyam, MD, FRCP (London), FACP (USA)
Internal Medicine Specialist
Kify Hospital
Danavaipeta
Rajahmundry
Phone : 85000 23456
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