Nipah virus scare: Death toll rises to three; Centre rushes NCDC team to Kerala

The deadly Nipah virus, which broke out in north Kerala, has claimed one more life, taking the death toll to three, The outbreak of the deadly virus had spread panic across the state.

The latest victim of the outbreak was a nurse who treated the virus-hit patients at Perambra Taluk Hospital. At least seven deaths have been reported from Kozhikode district and four people died in Malappuram due to the viral encephalitis. Of the 11 deaths, three were confirmed due to the deadly Nipah virus.

Union Minister JP Nadda on Sunday directed the Director of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to visit Kerala’s Kozhikode district to assist the state government in containing the outbreak.

“Reviewed the situation of deaths related to Nipah virus in Kerala with Secretary Health. I have directed Director NCDC to visit the district and initiate required steps as warranted by the protocol for the disease in consultation with state government,” Nadda said in a tweet.

The Kozhikode health department was maintaining vigilance in the wake of several deaths due to the virus.

What is Nipah Virus:

Nipah virus (NiV) infection in humans has a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory syndrome and fatal encephalitis, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The virus is also capable of causing disease in pigs and other domestic animals. There is no vaccine for either humans or animals. The primary treatment for human cases is intensive supportive care, the WHO says on its website.

In a letter to Union Health Minister, Lok Sabha MP Ramachandran said that some doctors have termed it as Nipah virus, while others said it was zoonotic, and that the spread is fast and fatal.

“The mortality rate is reportedly 70 per cent. The spread of the disease needs to be contained,” he said in the letter.

(With inputs from agencies)