HQ Team
October 4, 2023: All infected contacts of the two people who died in a Nipah virus outbreak in India’s southern state of Kerala have been quarantined for 21 days, according to the WHO.
“As of September 27, 2023,1,288 contacts of the confirmed cases were traced, including high-risk contacts and healthcare workers, who are under quarantine and monitoring for 21 days,” according to a WHO statement.
Since September 12, six people reported positive out of the 387 samples that have been tested, and all remaining samples tested negative.
The first case, whose source of infection is unknown, had pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome and was admitted to a hospital in late August 2023. He died a few days after admission.
Fourth outbreak
The second death occurred in an individual who accompanied another patient to the hospital, where the first case was being treated. He died after having symptoms of pneumonia.
After September 15, no new cases have been detected. It is the fourth outbreak in Kerala state since 2018 and the sixth outbreak in India.
Nipah virus infection, a zoonotic illness, is spread to humans through contact with infected animals such as bats and pigs. Additionally, direct contact with an infected individual can also lead to transmission, although this route is less common.
Those affected by Nipah virus infection may experience severe symptoms, including acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis.
Containment zones
The only way to reduce or prevent infection in people is by raising awareness about the risk factors and preventive measures to protect themselves.
Case management should focus on providing patients with supportive care measures and intensive support for severe respiratory and neurologic complications, according to the WHO.
The Kerala government’s response measures included declaring containment zones in nine villages in the Kozhikode district with movement restrictions, social distancing, and mandatory mask-wearing in public spaces.
The government restricted major public events in Kozhikode district until 1 October 2023. Alerts were issued to neighbouring districts and states for enhanced surveillance. Alerts were issued to neighbouring districts and states for enhanced surveillance.
Bangladesh strain
According to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, the virus found in Kerala has been identified as the Indian genotype or I-genotype and is similar to the Nipah virus strain found in Bangladesh.
The case-fatality rates in outbreaks across Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, and Singapore range from 40% to 100%. As of now, there are no available effective therapies or vaccines for this disease.
Freshly collected date palm juice should be boiled, and fruits should be thoroughly washed and peeled before consumption. Fruits with signs of bat bites should be discarded. Areas where bats are known to roost should be avoided.
Natural infection in domestic animals has been described in farming pigs, horses, and domestic and feral cats, the WHO stated.
