Nipah virus outbreak: High 10 signs of the lethal virus; prevention and therapy ideas
Amid the outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala, the state has been taking all of the precautionary measures to regulate the unfold. So far, two folks have died and no less than 5 have been contaminated by the virus which has excessive mortality price however is much less infectious. (Also learn: Nipah in Kerala: Containment zones created, ICMR delivers antibody | 10 points)
WHO says the Nipah virus’s fatality price could also be between 40- 75 %. Nipah virus is a viral an infection and the title ‘Nipah’ comes from a Malaysian village, the place the primary outbreak was reported in 1998-1999 and it has excessive mortality.
While Nipah virus begins with gentle signs like headache, muscle ache, fatigue, nausea, it might progress to psychological confusion, seizures and encephalitis when the virus begins affecting mind operate.
What is Nipah virus?
“Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus that can cause severe illness in humans. It is primarily transmitted from animals to humans and can also spread from human to human. The symptoms of Nipah virus infection can range from mild to severe,” says Dr Ajay Aggarwal, Director – Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital Noida.
“Nipah virus was first recognized in 1998 throughout an outbreak in Malaysia. Nipah virus an infection can result in extreme respiratory sickness and encephalitis (irritation of the mind),” says Dr G Sneha, Consultant – General Medicine, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. (Also learn: Nipah virus outbreak in India: What do we know so far?)
“Nipah virus is primarily seen in Indo Bangladesh region. In Malaysia, the source of infection was nosocomial, the source being pigs and bats who had transmitted the virus to humans. Consecutively, human to human infection is the cause of spread of the infection through droplet infection. Recently, two unnatural deaths were reported in Kozhikode, Kerela suspected to be due to a new virus outbreak in the area. It is feared that the deaths might be caused due to the Nipah virus,” says Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
Symptoms of Nipah virus
Initial signs of Nipah virus are non-specific corresponding to fever, headache, dizziness, myalgia, vomiting and free stools. This could progress to mind involvement within the type of seizures and encephalitis. There may be respiratory involvement inflicting respiratory failure.
“Nipah infection has very high morbidity in the form of psychiatric and neurological complications (depression, personality changes, deficits in attention, verbal, and/or visual memory) after recovery. Mortality rate of Nipah is also very high as it is majorly untraceable, and has a fatality rate of 40 to 75 percent, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO),” says Dr Tayal.
Dr Ajay Agarwal shares Nipah virus’s signs intimately:
1. Fever: Nipah virus an infection typically begins with a excessive fever.
2. Headache: Headaches are a standard early symptom.
3. Muscle ache: Muscle aches and ache could happen, just like flu-like signs.
4. Fatigue: Profound weak point and fatigue may be current.
5. Nausea: Many people expertise nausea, generally accompanied by vomiting.
6. Dizziness: Some folks could really feel dizzy or lightheaded.
7. Mental confusion: As the illness progresses, confusion and disorientation could develop.
8. Seizures: In extreme circumstances, people could expertise seizures resulting from neurological problems.
9. Respiratory signs: Respiratory misery, together with issue respiratory, can happen in extreme circumstances.
10. Coma: In essentially the most extreme circumstances, people can slip right into a coma.
Dr G Sneha shares the next signs for Nipah virus
Fever: Nipah virus an infection typically begins with a excessive fever, sometimes 3 to 14 days after publicity.
Headache: Severe complications are frequent.
Dizziness: Patients could expertise dizziness or disorientation.
Nausea and vomiting: Gastrointestinal signs like nausea and vomiting could happen.
Neck rigidity: Stiff neck and muscle ache may be early indicators of the an infection.
Mental confusion: As the illness progresses, sufferers could turn out to be disoriented and develop psychological confusion.
Coma: In extreme circumstances, Nipah virus an infection can result in a coma inside 24-48 hours.
“Furthermore, it’s crucial to take precautions to prevent Nipah virus transmission, as it can spread from person to person through close contact, respiratory droplets, or contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. Public health measures such as isolation, quarantine, and infection control practices are essential to prevent outbreaks of Nipah virus infection. If you suspect a Nipah virus outbreak in your area or have concerns about potential exposure, it’s essential to contact local health authorities for guidance and follow recommended preventive measures,” says Dr Agarwal.
Treatment
Dr G Sneha says there isn’t a particular antiviral therapy for Nipah virus an infection and supportive care is the mainstay of therapy.
It could embrace:
1. Hospitalization: Infected people are normally hospitalized to obtain applicable medical care and to stop the unfold of the virus.
2. Supportive care: This contains intravenous fluids to take care of hydration, ache administration, and mechanical air flow in extreme circumstances to help with respiratory.
3. Experimental remedies: In some circumstances, experimental antiviral medication or therapies could also be thought-about, however their effectiveness will not be effectively established.
“Also, there are very few experimental medications such as Ribavirin and favipiravir which have shown some benefit, but the treatment remains primarily symptomatic,” says Dr Tayal.
Management
Dr G Sneha suggests Nipah virus affected person ought to be remoted and quarantined. Here are factors to recollect:
1. Isolation and quarantine: Infected hould be remoted to stop additional transmission. Close contacts ought to be monitored and quarantined if obligatory.
2. Infection management: Healthcare employees and caregivers ought to observe strict an infection management measures to stop the unfold of the virus.
3. Preventive measures: In areas with identified Nipah virus outbreaks, measures corresponding to avoiding contact with sick animals, not consuming fruits contaminated by bat saliva or urine, and practising good hygiene are vital for prevention.
4. Vaccines: Research is ongoing, and vaccines are being developed, however as of my final replace in September 2021, there was no licensed vaccine for Nipah virus.
“Hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) remain as pillars of comprehensive infection prevention. We have to remember our learning from Covid and use the same precautions that we have been following for the past few years that is hand hygiene, social distancing and usage of masks,” says Dr Tayal.