Ruqaya Antar wrote in Al Ain News: The Nipah virus has returned to the forefront again with new victims, and although it is classified as “rare,” it has killed dozens so far.
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The most recent appearance of the deadly viral disease, which destroys the brain, occurred in India, where it invaded the state of Kerala and claimed two victims, in the fourth outbreak in the state since 2018.
Since 2021, and specifically after the outbreak of the “Covid-19” virus, talk about “Nipah” has increased amid fears that it will become the new epidemic that replaces Corona, especially after a report published by the British newspaper “The Guardian” in which it reported that the death rate of this virus in China has risen to reach To 75%.
Since then, cases of infection and death from the frightening virus have been recorded in a number of countries, led by India, Brazil, Bangladesh and others, amid questions about the possibility of it spreading to the Middle East and North Africa.
Nipah virus concentration areas
Dr. Mohamed Ahmed, Professor of Virology at the National Research Center in Egypt, revealed that the epidemiological history of the Nipah virus completely denies its previous appearance in the Middle East.
Ahmed told Al Ain News that most of the times infections with the virus were recorded were in Southeast Asia and Central Africa, but it did not appear in the Middle East, and we cannot predict whether it will appear or not in the future.
He explained, “There are viruses that appeared and then disappeared and never returned again, and others appear and disappear and then return every now and then, especially in areas where they appeared previously, such as Zika, Ebola, Nipah, and others.”
The virology professor considered that the spread of these viruses is “very weak,” especially with scientific progress and the world taking precautions, explaining that all of these viruses are transmitted through animals.
He completely denied the existence of a relationship between the emergence of these viruses from time to time and climate change and its consequences that have struck the planet, saying: “There is no relationship between them, and climate change by half a degree or degree does not lead to a change in the behavior of a virus or a large family the size of the Nipah family.”
Regarding the symptoms of the Nipah virus, the specialist noted that most of them are common to all respiratory viruses, and include:
– Fever.
– headache.
– cough.
– Sore throat.
– shortness of breath.
-And sometimes vomiting.
– In severe cases, the patient may develop a brain tumor.
He said: “It is important for people to realize that the presence of any of the above-mentioned symptoms does not mean that they are infected with the Nipah virus, as they are symptoms of other respiratory diseases,” stressing that “Nipah” is an ordinary virus that has appeared frequently and has left little trace.
Dr. Muhammad Ahmed advised everyone to pay attention to personal hygiene, as it is an essential key to preventing the Nipah virus and other viruses, while taking caution when dealing with animals.
Responsibility for the news: The Cedar News website is not responsible for this news, in form or content, and it only expresses the point of view of its source or writer.
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