Currently, India is facing a serious threat in the form of a disease outbreak caused by the Nipah Virus (NiV). The Nipah virus, which is often compared to COVID-19, has become the center of attention in the medical world. This is because the death rate caused by this disease is very high and it has the ability to spread very quickly.
Basically, Nipah Virus is one type of zoonotic virus that usually infects animals such as bats and pigs. However, when the virus is exposed to humans, the impact is very deadly. The initial symptoms in infected humans are the flu, which then develops into a serious brain infection and leads to meningitis or encephalitis.
The reason why the Nipah Virus is often compared to COVID-19 is because its transmission is also fast, occurring between humans and other humans through direct contact or through breathing. Of course, this increases the spread significantly, especially in densely populated areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO RESUME CONTENT
Even though the Nipah Virus is still far from the level of the COVID-19 pandemic, mothers still have to be alert and ready to face the challenges of this infectious disease. With global cooperation, in-depth research, and community readiness in dealing with this disease, of course the Nipah Virus will be overcome.
So, what is the nipah virus? how is it transmitted? and how to solve it? The following is an explanation of the nipah virus and how to deal with it that you can do for your little one and their family, quoted from the National Library of Medicine page and various sources. Come on, let’s read the full explanation, Mother.
What is Nipah virus?
According to the National Library of Medicine page, the Nipah virus is an acute febrile disease that can cause encephalitis and be fatal. This virus is a zoonotic paramyxovirus that has recently emerged and is endemic in Southeast Asia and the West Pacific.
Nipah virus was first identified in 1999 in pig farms in Malaysia and Singapore. Most of the cases are caused by farmers who have direct contact with their pigs. Around 300 people have been confirmed infected and another 100 people have died.
It didn’t stop there, in 2001, the Nipah Virus was discovered again in Bangladesh. According to WHO, since then the country of Bangladesh has experienced annual outbreaks that occur between December and May. The Nipah virus is believed to have originated from Bangladeshis who consumed fruit products that had been contaminated with bat urine or saliva.
The facts about the Nipah virus case in India are that the death rate is said to be higher than COVID
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) page, the death rate for Nipah Virus cases is estimated to have reached 40-75 percent. In the Siliguri area, India, in 2001 it was confirmed that transmission of the Nipah Virus occurred in health care environments, where 75 percent of cases occurred between hospital staff and visitors.
How can viruses infect humans?
Based on the first known outbreaks that occurred in Malaysia and Singapore, most of the Nipah Virus can infect humans due to direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissue. It is estimated that transmission occurs through exposure to unprotected pig secretions or unprotected contact.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh and India, this virus infects fruit products that have been contaminated with bat urine or saliva and consumed by humans. During this outbreak in Bangladesh and India, Nipah Virus continued to spread directly from person to person through close contact with human secretions and excretions.
Cause of Nipah virus
According to WHO, bats have been considered the natural host of the Nipah Virus. Fruit bats from Kerala tested positive for Nipah Virus in the first outbreak in the country in 2018 and killed 21 of the 23 infected.
Early symptoms of NiV
According to WHO, some people infected with Nipah Virus do not show symptoms, which can hinder diagnosis. However, the initial symptoms of contracting this disease appear 4 to 14 days after exposure, such as fever, headache and respiratory illness (sore throat, cough and difficulty breathing).
How to diagnose Nipah virus
Diagnosis of Nipah Virus can be made through clinical history during the acute and healing phases of the disease. The main tests that will be carried out to diagnose this disease are real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from body fluids and antibody detection via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apart from that, other tests used are the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and virus isolation by cell culture.
How to treat Nipah virus infection
Until now, a special vaccine for treating the Nipah Virus is still in the development stage. Treatment for this disease is limited to supportive care such as anti-seizure medications, treatment of secondary infections, and mechanical ventilation if respiratory failure occurs.
How to avoid transmission of the Nipah virus
Although treatment for the Nipah Virus disease is still in the research and development stage, there are several things that can be done to avoid transmission of the Nipah Virus, as follows.
Do not have direct contact with infected pigs or bats. Wash your hands regularly. Avoid direct physical contact with infected patients. Pay attention to the processed fruit products you will consume. For tourists visiting endemic areas, avoid consuming fresh date palm sap.
Well, that’s an explanation of the Nipah Virus that you can be wary of. Hopefully, after knowing the causes, symptoms and how to deal with the transmission of the Nipah Virus, you can protect your little one and your family from the Nipah Virus disease.
For mothers who want to share about parenting and get lots of giveaways, come join the HaiBunda Squad community. Register click HERE. Free!
(rap/rap)