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Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Kerala alert after Nipah virus cases: Here's why it happens every monsoon, know about signs and symptoms
The Kerala Health Department has stepped up vigil against the Nipah virus after two positive cases of the deadly zoonotic disease were detected in two districts. One of the affected is undergoing treatment while another has died. State Health Minister Veena George has said the alert has been sounded in Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad, where 345 people are in the contact list of the two cases, which were confirmed after samples tested in NIV-Pune. Why does Nipah spiral every year? According to Dr Rakesh Gupta, senior consultant, internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, 'With global warming, changes in wildlife behaviour and human lifestyle factors, such viruses may continue to pose a risk, making constant monitoring essential.' With Nipah cases resurfacing in Kerala, it is important to stay vigilant. Avoid eating fruits that look partially eaten or pecked by birds and bats, as the virus is often linked to contamination from fruit bats. Wash fruits thoroughly before eating. Maintain good hand hygiene and avoid visiting hospitals unless absolutely necessary, especially in areas with reported cases. Stay alert for symptoms like fever, headache, drowsiness, confusion or respiratory issues — and seek immediate medical care if these occur. Also, limit contact with patients' bodily fluids. Follow government advisories and avoid spreading rumours, which can cause panic. Health workers and caregivers should use protective gear. If there are deaths in the family or neighbourhood from unknown fever, inform health authorities for proper containment. Vigilance and early detection play a huge role in preventing the spread of Nipah. Nipah virus outbreaks have recurred in Kerala primarily because of the ecology of the region. Its climate and landscape support dense fruit tree cover and a large population of fruit bats (the natural hosts of the virus). Changing patterns in land use, human encroachment into bat habitats, and the habit of consuming fresh fruits or toddy can increase the chance of bat-human contact. With the monsoon, there is more fruiting, attracting bats closer to human dwellings. Increased moisture can also spoil fruits faster, making them more attractive to bats. Additionally, water-logging and changes in local ecology during the monsoon might bring humans, bats and domestic animals into closer contact, raising the chance of spillover. Additionally, Kerala's strong disease surveillance system helps identify cases quickly, which is why outbreaks are promptly reported. Nipah virus primarily spreads from animals (especially fruit bats) to humans through contaminated food, such as fruits or raw date palm sap tainted with bat saliva or urine. It can also spread through direct contact with infected animals like pigs, though this is less common in India. Once in humans, the virus can spread from person to person via close contact, especially through bodily fluids, saliva, urine, or respiratory droplets. Caregivers and health workers are at higher risk if proper precautions aren't taken. Hospital-acquired infections have been documented in previous Kerala outbreaks. Unlike COVID-19, Nipah does not spread through casual airborne transmission over long distances; it requires close or direct contact. Hence, avoiding exposure to possibly contaminated food, maintaining personal hygiene, wearing masks around patients, and isolating suspected cases are key measures to stop its spread.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Kerala sounds Nipah alert after cases in Palakkad and Malappuram
The Kerala Health Department Friday sounded an alert against the Nipah virus after two suspected cases of the deadly zoonotic disease were detected in two districts. Health Minister Veena George said the alert has been sounded in Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad in connection with cases reported from Palakkad and Malappuram districts. 'Virus was detected in tests conducted at the government medical college in Kozhikode. Samples were despatched to NIV-Pune for final confirmation as per the protocol. However, containment measures have been initiated and 26 committees each have been formed in these three districts. Containment zones will be finalized in these districts by collectors,'' she said. One suspected case was reported from Kozhikode medical college, where an 18-year-old woman from Mankada in Malappuram district died on July 1 following brain haemorrhage. Doctors and other staff at the medical college who treated the woman have been quarantined. The second case was reported at Nattukal in Palakkad, where a 38-year-old woman is undergoing treatment at a private hospital at Perinthalmanna in Palakkad. The source of infection is yet to be ascertained in both cases. In May this year, a 42-year-old woman in Malappuram district was tested positive for Nipah, a deadly zoonotic virus. The woman, who was admitted with symptoms of encephaliti, was later cured of the disease. Kerala has had five Nipah outbreaks since 2018. Till now, only seven positive patients, including the woman in May, have survived. In 2018, 17 out of 18 infected persons and one in 2021 had died. In 2023, two Nipah deaths were reported. Last year, Malappuram had reported two deaths — one in July and the second in September – taking the total in Kerala since 2018 to 22. Fruit bats are known as the reservoir of the deadly virus and all the outbreaks in Kerala had been reported during May to September, mainly the rainy season in the state. During the rainy season viral fever and influenza are common, which makes early diagnosis of Nipah difficult. A study on the 2018 outbreak had found that the index case was infected from bats, while others from hospital. The virus reported in Kerala belonged to a Bangladeshi strain, which is known for a mortality rate — even up to 90 per cent. A field survey conducted by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) and the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) after the Nipah death in July last year indicated fruit bats as the source of infection. The presence of antibodies of the virus was detected in fruit bats collected from Pandikkad village, where the July victim lived. The minor boy had consumed hog plum fruit from his neighbourhood, where fruit bats were known to be present. An analysis of earlier incidents of the infection had shown that the strain of the virus found in the affected persons in Kerala was similar to the strain found in the body of the fruit bats. In the previous incidents of Nipah too, the infection was reported from places where there was presence of fruit bats. In 2018 and 2023, the cases were reported in the eastern hilly region of Kozhikode.
Mint
16-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
ICMR gets a breakthrough in attempts to develop first indigenous Nipah virus medicine
New Delhi: Indian government scientists say they have achieved a breakthrough in attempts to develop an indigenous therapy for treating Nipah virus patients. Also Read | HMPV virus: How doctors are using social media, humour to educate people Scientists familiar with the matter said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has held successful animal trials with the country's first indigenously developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to treat Nipah virus patients. The virus, which is commonly transmitted from fruit bats, has a high mortality rate. Currently, India imports monoclonal antibodies from Queensland, Australia. These are administered intravenously. Also Read | Kerala: Nipah virus case confirmed in Malappuram district There is no vaccine against the Nipah virus, which has a mortality rate of 40-70%. There have been repeated Nipah virus outbreaks in the country, particularly in Kerala, since 2018. The most recent case of Nipah virus involved a 42-year-old woman from Valanchery in Malappuram district of Kerala this month. The patient is in coma and being supported by a ventilator. Also Read | India registers over 200 HMPV cases in 2024; scientists say not a new virus The virus, which causes neurologic symptoms including seizures and inability to think clearly or concentrate, is a significant public health concern. 'India is making indigenous Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to treat Nipah virus patients and we have some initial success. In small animal experiments, it has shown some promising results and protection against the virus. But there is a long way to go," said a scientist involved in the development of monoclonal antibodies, who did not want to be named, and added that it is under public-private partnership. After small animal experiments, large animal experiments would be conducted, followed by phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials on humans. Manufacturing will follow if these tests are successful. 'Human safety and protective efficacy will also be evaluated. So it is a very early stage," the scientist said. Queries emailed to the ICMR and National Institute of Virology (NIV-Pune) on Tuesday remained unanswered. NIV-Pune has done studies which show that bats are reservoirs of viruses. NIV Pune has a full-fledged field unit in Kerala for Nipah virus surveillance. 'Most probably, this looks like a sporadic case, because one single case has been detected. So this will be a spillover from a bat. Because the mortality rate is high in bats, it becomes very difficult to capture them as they move further," the scientist said. India's current stock of Australian monoclonal antibodies, imported in 2023, is said to be adequate. As a precautionary measure, NIV-Pune has also deployed these monoclonal antibodies to Kerala. Experts say community education is key to fighting the Nipah virus. 'Community education is very important. Virus in the bats survives for a longer period of time. During the breeding season of the bats, their saliva also gets infected and when they sit on coconut trees or fruit trees, they infect the fruits or any other things. When humans get in contact with these contaminated things, they become infected and further develop a human-to-human transmission chain in the community," said Dr Sujeet Singh, former director of the National Centre for Disease Control. Sterilizing fruits for human consumption is not possible as it is very difficult to identify which ones are infected. Given the criticality of the time element in Nipah virus cases, ICMR has been working towards early detection capabilities. 'There is a capacity for early detection. As soon as there is a case, it gets detected immediately and gets contained. So the spread does not get noticed any further. ICMR has validated a point of care test TrueNat for Nipah detection which is now being used by the government of Kerala. So, the detection capacity has gone up," the scientist mentioned above said. 'ICMR has established five virus research and diagnostic labs in Kerala which have been trained in safe handling practices. They (labs) have also been given diagnostic and lab support from the NIV Pune to be able to test and detect and follow the bio-safety precautions," the scientist said. 'Nipah has a very high fatality rate if untreated. Till now, no specific treatment has been approved for Nipah infection. This is a big step forward as monoclonal antibodies have the potential to neutralize the infection and improve outcomes. This monoclonal developed by ICMR will need testing in humans for safety and efficacy (using innovative trial designs). This is a big step forward in self-sufficiency and will boost India's epidemic/pandemic preparedness," said Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former director general of ICMR and ex-World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist. The first outbreak of Nipah in India was reported in 2001 from Siliguri, West Bengal, infecting 66 and killing 45. During an outbreak in 2018 in Kerala, 23 cases and 21 deaths were reported. In 2019, one case was reported in Ernakulam district of Kerala, in which the patient survived. In September 2023, another outbreak occurred in the Kozhikode district, with a total of six cases and two deaths. In July 2024, A case of Nipah virus was detected in Mallapuram district.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
42-year-old woman tests positive for Nipah virus in Kerala, Health Minister heads to Malappuram
A 42-year-old woman in Kerala's Malappuram district tested positive for the Nipah, a zoonotic virus with a high mortality rate. The woman was admitted to a private hospital on May 2 with symptoms of encephalitis. Her samples were dispatched to NIV-Pune, which on Thursday confirmed the Nipah infection, health department officials in Malappuram said. State Health Minister Veena George will visit Malappuram to oversee containment measures, which the state has been implementing since 2018 — the year Nipah was first reported in Kerala. Kerala has had five Nipah outbreaks since 2018. Only six people who tested positive have survived — one in Kozhikode in 2018, another in Kochi in 2019, and four cases in Kozhikode in 2023. In 2018, 17 of 18 infected people died. Another died in 2021. In 2023, two Nipah deaths were reported. Last year, Malappuram reported two deaths in July and September. With that, the total number of Nipah deaths in Kerala since 2018 stands at 22. All the outbreaks in Kerala were reported in the May-September period, which encompasses the rainy season in the state. The prevalence of viral fever and influenza during this season makes early diagnosis of Nipah a challenge. A study on the 2018 outbreak had found that the index case got the infection from bats, while the others got it from hospital. The virus reported in Kerala belonged to a Bangladeshi strain, which is known for a mortality rate that can go up to 90%. A field survey conducted by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) and the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) after the Nipah death of July last year indicated that fruit bats were the source of that infection as well. The presence of antibodies of the virus was detected in fruit bats' samples collected from Pandikkad village, where the victim was from.
