Jakarta – Did you know that some time ago a 12-year-old child in Kerala, southern India, was confirmed to have died from Nipah virus? Two health workers who had contact with the victim also showed symptoms of nipah virus infection on Monday, September 6.
Previously reported BBC, Of the 40 patients who had a mysterious fever, 32 were children. The number of patients continues to increase rapidly. There have been at least 50 patients and it is estimated that this number will continue to increase.
Just as Kerala is experiencing an increase in daily cases of COVID-19 to nearly 30,000 cases per day, the deadly Nipah virus arrives, forcing the Indian government to increase vigilance on its health system to prevent the spread of a different infection, Mother.
Occurrence’mysterious fever‘ which attacks children in India is certainly worrying, that’s why you need to be vigilant too. Let’s see what the Nipah virus is, also identify the signs and symptoms below.
What is a nipah virus?
So that you understand more about the Nipah virus, see the explanation from WHO (World Health Organisation) here, Mother. Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between humans. In infected people, nipah virus causes a variety of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic (subclinical) infections to acute respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.
Although the Nipah virus causes only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe illness and death in humans, making it a public health problem.
Symptoms of being infected with the Nipah virus
Nipah virus infections in humans range from asymptomatic infections to acute respiratory infections (mild, severe), and fatal encephalitis.
People infected with the Nipah virus initially experience symptoms including:
- fever
- headache
- myalgia (muscle pain)
- gag
- sore throat
Then after that will be followed by:
- dizzy
- sleepy
- altered consciousness
- neurologic signs suggestive of acute encephalitis
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Illustration of the Nipah virus causing India’s mysterious fever/ Photo: iStock- – |
Some people may also develop atypical pneumonia and severe breathing problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.
The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) in patients infected with Nipah virus is believed to range from 4 to 14 days. However, there are also cases that have been reported to have an incubation period of 45 days.
Most people who survive acute encephalitis make a full recovery, but survivors will experience long-term neurological conditions. About 20 percent of patients experience residual neurological consequences such as seizure disorders and personality changes. A small number of people who recover then relapse or develop delayed-onset encephalitis.
The case fatality rate is estimated at 40-75 percent. This figure may vary by outbreak depending on local capacity for epidemiological viability and clinical management in each area.
Check out the next page to find out how to treat and prevent it, Mother. Click on the next page!
Mothers can also listen to recommendations for children’s fever medicine in the video below:
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