Nipah Virus Did Not Spread Through Bats; Bihar, Sikkim Issue Advisory: Reports
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Nipah Virus Did Not Spread Through Bats; Bihar, Sikkim Issue Advisory: Reports

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Nipah Virus that is spreading across India and has so far taken 12 lives in Kerala’s Kozhikode and Malappuram districts is believed to spread through direct contact with infected bats, pigs or from other infected people.

However, the recent IANS report claims that it does not spread through Bats.

The officials informed DNA that 21 samples of bats and pigs turned out to be negative as they tested them in the High-Security Animal Diseases laboratory, Bhopal.

Health officials had sealed an unusual well, which was the epicentre of the virus in the compound of Moosa’s house, who is one of the victims, and whose three relatives died due to Nipah Virus. The samples tested included the ones taken from his house.

The team led by Central Animal Husbandry Commissioner, SP Suresh also examined the animals in the affected areas and reported no sign of Nipah virus in the animals.
Telangana Government said that it has sent the blood samples and throat swabs of two patients, who are suffering from fever, to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for the test of the deadly infection.

Bihar, Puducherry, Telangana, Karnataka, and Sikkim Governments have issued advisories to prevent the spread of the virus, mentioning preventive steps and urging people to take precaution against Nipah virus. Sikkim Health department said, “Though there is a minimal possibility of Nipah virus in Sikkim, the people need to take precaution.”

Nipah virus, also known as NiV infection is a severe disease known to affect both animals and humans. It started in Kampung Sungai Nipah, Malaysia in 1998 from pigs. It can cause asymptomatic infection to the acute respiratory syndrome and fatal encephalitis. It kills 40% to 100% of those who get affected. The time from which the infection happens to the time when symptoms start showing ranges from four to 14 days. The symptoms can be confused with cold or general viral infections. There is no vaccine for either humans or animals, however, the primary treatment in human cases is intensive supportive care.


Also published on Medium.

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Editor : Ankit Sharma Sharma

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