In response to the recent outbreak of the Nipah virus that has claimed two lives and infected two others in northern Kerala’s Kozhikode district, the Kerala government has implemented strict containment measures to prevent further spread.
The highly contagious and brain-damaging virus has raised alarm in the region, leading the Kozhikode administration to declare seven village panchayats as containment zones. Kozhikode District Collector A Geetha announced the affected panchayats as Atanchery, Maruthonkara, Tiruvallur, Kuttiyadi, Kayakkodi, Villyapalli, and Kavilumpara.
Effective immediately, no travel in or out of these containment zones will be allowed until further notice. Local law enforcement has been tasked with cordoning off these areas, with strict instructions to enforce the travel ban. Only stores selling essential commodities and medical supplies are permitted to operate within these zones.
Stores selling essential goods are allowed to function from 7 am to 5 pm, with no specific time restrictions for pharmacies and health centers. Local self-government institutions and village offices can continue their operations but with minimal staff present.
On the other hand, banks, government or quasi-government institutions, educational institutions, and anganwadis (childcare centers) have been directed to cease operations until further notice. The public is urged to use online services and avoid visiting local self-government institutions whenever possible.
Furthermore, buses and vehicles traveling on national highways through these containment zones should not make stops within the affected areas, and strict adherence to social distancing measures, mask-wearing, and regular sanitization is strongly emphasized.
This is not the first encounter with the Nipah virus in Kozhikode district, as previous outbreaks were reported in 2018 and 2021. However, authorities are determined to curb the spread of the virus swiftly and efficiently this time.
Upon confirmation of the Nipah virus infection in Kozhikode, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged residents not to panic but instead to strictly follow the guidance of the health department and law enforcement. He emphasized the need for full cooperation with the imposed restrictions to contain the outbreak effectively.
State Health Minister Veena George provided updates on the current situation, revealing that one of the infected individuals is a nine-year-old boy. Out of the five samples tested, three have returned positive results. The deceased person on August 30 was initially attributed to liver cirrhosis, but further testing revealed that his son, the nine-year-old boy, and his 24-year-old brother-in-law had tested positive for the Nipah virus.
As health authorities work diligently to manage the outbreak and contain its spread, residents of Kozhikode and the affected containment zones are urged to remain vigilant, follow all safety protocols, and cooperate with the authorities to bring the situation under control.
Symptoms :
Fever
Headache
Muscle pain (myalgia)
Vomiting
Sore throat
These symptoms can be followed by more serious conditions, including:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Altered consciousness
Acute encephalitis
Atypical pneumonia
Severe respiratory distress
Seizures
About Nipah Virus
The Nipah virus was first recognized in 1998 during an outbreak of neurological and respiratory illnesses on pig farms in peninsular Malaysia. This outbreak led to 265 human cases, resulting in 108 fatalities. The virus itself was officially identified in 1999. As a consequence of this outbreak, one million pigs were culled. In Singapore, 11 cases were reported among abattoir workers who had been in contact with pigs imported from the affected Malaysian farms, and one of these cases was fatal.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the Nipah virus as a Category C agent.The name “Nipah” refers to a place. The virus derives its name from Sungai Nipah, which means ‘nipah river,’ located in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This river was the source of the first human case from which the Nipah virus was initially isolated.
Moreover, the World Health Organization has recognized the Nipah virus as one of several viruses with the potential to cause future epidemics. This recognition led to the development of a new plan, following the Ebola epidemic, which prioritizes urgent research and development efforts. The aim is to create new diagnostic tests, vaccines, and medications both before and during an epidemic.
This article has been written by VOLF.TV TEAM , content strategy and produced by Manjeet Kumar.
What is Nipah Virus ?
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus transmitted by bats, leading to Nipah virus infection in both humans and other animals. This virus results in a severe and often fatal disease, and it has caused numerous outbreaks in regions such as North East Africa and Southeast Asia. Nipah virus is classified within the Henipavirus genus, which also includes the Hendra virus, responsible for its own share of disease outbreaks.
Where did Nipah Virus originate ?
The Nipah virus was first recognized in 1998 during an outbreak of neurological and respiratory illnesses on pig farms in peninsular Malaysia. This outbreak led to 265 human cases, resulting in 108 fatalities. The virus itself was officially identified in 1999. As a consequence of this outbreak, one million pigs were culled. In Singapore, 11 cases were reported among abattoir workers who had been in contact with pigs imported from the affected Malaysian farms, and one of these cases was fatal.
Symptoms of Nipah Virus
Fever Headache Muscle pain (myalgia) Vomiting Sore throat These symptoms can be followed by more serious conditions, including: Dizziness Drowsiness Altered consciousness Acute encephalitis Atypical pneumonia Severe respiratory distress Seizures.
Is Nipah Deadly ?
Nipah virus is a bat-borne, zoonotic virus that causes Nipah virus infection in humans and other animals, a disease with a high mortality rate.
