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Kerala Braces for Nipah Outbreak
Context
Kerala is on alert following a confirmed case of Nipah virus in a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district.
About Nipah Virus (NiV)
- Nipah virus is zoonotic, transmitted from animals to humans, often through fruit bats of the Pteropus genus.
- It can also spread through contaminated food or directly between people.
- Natural Hosts:Fruit bats, particularly those of the Pteropus genus, serve as the natural hosts for Nipah virus.These bats do not show apparent signs of illness from the virus.
- Symptoms and Severity:In humans, NiV can cause a range of illnesses, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory problems and fatal encephalitis (brain inflammation).
- Case fatality rates vary between 40% to 75%, depending on clinical management.
- Treatment:Currently, there are no specific treatments or vaccines available for either humans or animals.Supportive care remains the only option for managing NiV infections.
- WHO lists Nipah virus as a priority disease under its Research and Development Blueprint due to its potential for outbreaks.
- Monoclonal antibodies from Australia have shown promise in neutralizing NiV and are being stored in Pune's National Institute of Virology for emergency use.
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