On the one hand we are healthier and live longer than ever before in human history. Medical advances have ensured that we have never had as good a chance at living long and healthy lives than we do today. On the other hand however, we keep discovering new diseases and afflictions and seem to create drug resistant strains of infective organisms that threaten our wellbeing anew. Previous generations didn’t worry so much swine flu, bird flu, the chikungunya virus, dengue and the Nipah Virus; which seems to be the newest villain on the block.
The recent outcry about the Nipah Virus is mainly due to the high mortality rate among infected people (between 50% and 75%). This virus is known for its zoonotic (spread from animals to humans) transmission, mainly due to direct or indirect contact with animals such as bats and pigs. The virus can be transmitted by coming into contact with infected animals or coming into contact with fruit, tree sap etc that the infected animal has been in contact with.
As the largest expat community in the UAE, Indians have been advised to take certain precautions with respect to avoiding the nipah virus. In particular, the advisory has asked Keralites working in the UAE to avoid unnecessary trips to Kerala to avoid exposure to the virus. This is because the current outbreak originated in Kerala where Valachekutti Moosa's family was infected by drinking water from a bat infested well. Four family members as well as the nurse treating them have succumbed to their infections and died.
Though the family home in Kozhikode, Kerala is the epicentre of the outbreak, there are others who have become infected as well. There have been 12 deaths from the nipah virus so far. Patients at the hospital where the Moosa family was treated are also said to be infected. There is also the apprehension now that the virus has crossed over from Kerala into Karnataka.
The virus is particularly dangerous because of the high mortality rates connected to it and the fact that are no specific medications for its treatment. There are also no vaccines for prevention. The symptoms may appear between three and 14 days after infection. They usually start with a fever and headache and then drowsiness and mental confusion. The symptoms progress rapidly and can deteriorate into a coma within a day or two. Brain inflammation is one of the most serious symptoms associated with nipah.
Those who come into contact with individuals or animals infected with the virus are at risk. Hospital workers and caretakers of infected patients are at particular risk. Advisories also warn people to avoid certain fruits such as mango, raw date palm and so on, particularly if there is any chance that the fruits have been contaminated by bats. Previous outbreaks have been noted in Malaysia and Bangladesh; also with high mortality rates.
Nipah virus prevention
Prevention is vital since there is not known cure for the disease. Indians in the UAE are advised not to travel to India at this time, particularly to Kerala where many Indians working in the UAE hail from. Suspected symptoms must be examined and a proper diagnosis made; standard infection control practices in hospital and other treatment settings must be maintained. Endemic areas and sick animals must be avoided. Half eaten fruit and palm toddy contaminated by bats are dangerous and must be avoided. Hand washing, proper washing of fruit and a generally high level of hygiene must be maintained.
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