Nipah Virus Alert in Rajasthan: More Dangerous than Corona

Alert in Rajasthan regarding Nipah virus, Instructions to keep an eye on passengers coming from Kerala; Alert sent to all medical colleges

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After the detection of Nipah virus in Kerala and death of one patient, an alert has also been issued in Rajasthan. All the medical colleges of the state have been alerted and instructions have been given to keep an eye on passengers coming from Kerala. This virus is said to be more dangerous than coronavirus. 

The Director of the Health Directorate has issued an order and alerted all the medical college Principals, CMHO, and PMO of the state. Instructions have been given to detect suspected patients coming to the hospital and send their information. 

According to doctors, in this case the patients complain of severe headache and fever. Its symptoms can become severe over time. This may increase the risk of brain infection or encephalitis.

Nipah virus is spread by bats. The greatest risk of its spread is by eating fruits eaten by bats. It spreads not only through animals, but also from one infected person to another. Till now there is no treatment or vaccine available.

Instructions to monitor passengers coming from Kerala

The department has especially given instructions to keep a guard on the passengers coming from Kerala. For this, hotel operators have also been asked to be on alert, so that they can keep a watch on the tourists coming from Kerala.

Urine and saliva of bats found in date juice

The Nipah virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1998. After this, people were found infected with this virus in Singapore also. It was named Nipah after a village in Malaysia when a person from the same village died after getting infected with this virus.

Nipah virus infection occurs by drinking contaminated raw date juice as bats live mostly on palm trees. These bats are called ‘fruit bats’ or flying foxes. Dates and other fruits become contaminated with the urine and saliva of bats. The virus also spreads to pigs, dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.

More dangerous than Coronavirus

Like Covid-19, Nipah virus does not spread rapidly. But this virus is more dangerous than Coronavirus. 40% to 75% of people die if infected. In 2001, out of 66 people infected with Nipah in Siliguri, Bengal, 45 died. In 2007, 5 people were infected with this disease in Nadia district of Bengal, all of whom died.

Nipah virus spreads rapidly in crowded, closed places. It spreads to humans through infected animals or contaminated food. This virus also spreads from an infected person to another person. People climbing palm trees are also at risk of Nipah infection.

Brain damage due to Nipah virus

  • A person infected with Nipah shows symptoms like fever, headache, muscle cramps, body breakdown. 
  • It may also show symptoms like drowsiness, feeling of shaking, confusion, vomiting, sore throat also occur.
  • Symptoms of Nipah virus appear 5 to 14 days after infection. By then the patient’s condition deteriorates.
  • The Nipah virus damages the brain. The patient gets encephalitis. The risk of going into a coma increases.
  • A patient infected with the virus may also suffer from pneumonia and serious breathing problems.
  • This virus also affects the heart muscles which is called myocarditis. There is a risk of kidney failure.
  • Many people recover from this infection. But some people start having seizures.
  • No medicine or vaccine has been made yet to protect against Nipah virus.

How to avoid Nipah virus

  • Infection can be avoided with better hygiene and care. Wash your hands regularly. 
  • Do not come in contact with the blood or saliva of a person suffering from encephalitis or meningitis.
  • Do not go where bats and pigs live. Do not eat things that have come in contact with bats. Avoid drinking the juice of raw dates.
  • The infected person should isolate himself or those who have come in contact and get tested as soon as symptoms appear. 
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