A new virus has been circulating in the air, cautioning citizens as the death toll rises to 11.
The ‘Nipah virus’ has caused a nationwide health alert, as the deadly virus killed 11 people in southern India. The virus is caused by fruit bats- scientists only found out that it could jump from bats to other species, including humans, within the past 20 years. The disease is currently incurable and can be transmitted from person to person. It has killed between 40% and 75% of infected people in most outbreaks.
These statistics indicate that Nipah has the potential to cause a deadly pandemic, which is why the World Health Organization lists Nipah as an urgent research priority, alongside diseases like Ebola and SARS.
The death toll had increased gradually from 3 to double its number and later changes to 11. This calculation includes the death of a nurse who had contacted the virus from a patient she was taking care of. The hospital had electrocuted her body, without giving her family a chance to see her or cremate her properly fearing the spread of the virus.
READ ALSO: Nipah Virus confirmed in Kerala : Here’s all you need to know about the killer
Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged citizens to stay vigilant and follow instructions from the health department. He posted on his official Twitter account:
National Institute of Virology has confirmed from the studies on blood samples that 3 out of the 4 deaths attributed to fever was caused by the virus. The first death was reported on 19th ; the Union Health Ministry & World Health organization were contacted on the day itself.
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) May 21, 2018
Health minister & Labour minister have camped at the district to lead the efforts. Private hospitals have been instructed to not deny treatment for anyone suffering from fever. An expert medical team of the Union government has arrived on the request of the State Government.
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) May 21, 2018
Though the virus has been reported only in Kozhikode, a statewide alert has been given to remain vigilant. A 24-hour control room has been opened to monitor the situation. CM has also requested all to follow the instructions of the health department to tackle this crisis.
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) May 21, 2018
READ ALSO: 8 under serious conditions; Virus infection spreads in Kozhikode
The victims all died in Calicut district, said Kerala health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan.
Samples tested in government labs confirmed the presence of the Nipah virus in three deaths, while Sadanandan said the cause of other suspicious deaths could only be confirmed through tests.
“We have sent blood and body fluid samples of all suspected cases for confirmation. It will take 24-48 hours for the results to come.”
India’s health minister rushed medical experts to the state after a local politician reported that residents were panicking in Calicut.
The team would “initiate required steps as warranted by the protocol for the disease”, J.P. Nadda said on Twitter.
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