AFP The virus was probably caused by the feces of infected fruit bats in previous outbreaks
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 17:45
The Nipah virus has emerged in the southern state of Kerala in India. To curb the outbreak, at least seven villages in the affected district have been put under lockdown. Schools, offices and public transport are also closed. It is the fourth outbreak of the deadly virus in the region since 2018.
The virus has now caused two fatalities in Kerala. The first victim died on August 30. According to authorities, it concerns a man who grew bananas and nuts, Reuters news agency reports.
The man’s minor daughter and brother-in-law also became infected with the virus and are in hospital, local authorities report. Other family members and neighbors are now being tested for Nipah infections.
The second fatality came into contact with the virus in hospital, but was not related to the infected family. It is unclear when he died. Medical staff must be quarantined as a precaution after contact with an infected person.
High mortality rate
In previous outbreaks, it is estimated that between 40 and 75 percent of people infected with the Nipah virus died, reports the World Health Organization (WHO). There is no treatment or vaccine for the disease. According to India’s health minister, the current outbreak is the ‘Bangladesh variant’, which has a high mortality rate. However, this variant has proven to be less contagious in the past.
The Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food and through contact with an infected person.
Fruit bats
The virus was first discovered in 1999 among pig farmers in Malaysia. There have been no outbreaks in the Southeast Asian country since then. In Bangladesh, the virus has returned annually since 2001, according to the WHO.
In previous outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, it is believed that people became infected by eating fruit or fruit products contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats.
This spring, research showed Reuters that the area’s rapid urbanization and deforestation create ideal conditions for viruses like Nipah. These developments mean that people and animals live closer together, increasing the risk of infections.
India’s rapid population growth plays a major role in this. Since this year, India has become the country with the largest population in the world.
2023-09-13 15:45:46
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