Nipah virus is one of the trending topics right now as the cases are still on the rise in Kerala. This is a zoonotic illness that spreads through fruit bats and pigs. These animals carry the infection and spread it to humans. The symptoms of nipah virus are generic and therefore, difficult to diagnose at the initial stage. The mortality rate of NiV patients is also high considering that there is no treatment available for this infection as of now. The cases of Nipah virus in India are mostly reported in Kerala and West Bengal since its first outbreak in 2001.
The primary symptoms of nipah include high fever, chills, muscle pain, headache and dizziness. When this infection is left untreated, the person may experience severe complications including breathing difficulties, seizures, disorientation, encephalitis and coma. It is very important to get tested on time to save the patient. The recovery rate of NiV is very low and therefore, prevention is paramount. People living in the infected area must take necessary hygiene and safety measures to stay preventive of this fatal condition. For more information, watch this video.
