The Nipah virus, a deadly infection with origins in bats, has made a resurgence in Kerala, India, nearly five years after authorities successfully contained a previous outbreak. In 2018, the outbreak was declared over in June. However, this time, the virus has already claimed two lives in Kerala, with four individuals affected.
The Nipah virus is primarily carried by large fruit bats of the Pteropus genus, although human cases have also been linked to transmission from pigs. The National Centre for Disease Control notes a mortality rate typically ranging from 40% to 75%, though it can vary based on the specific outbreak and can even reach 100%.
This recent outbreak in Kerala marks the fourth instance of Nipah virus in India.
Here’s a timeline of significant Nipah Virus outbreaks in India and abroad:
1998-99: The Nipah virus initially emerges in Malaysia and Singapore, leading to a large outbreak. It initially affects pigs and those involved in pig farming. This outbreak, occurring from September 1998 to May 1999, reports 276 human cases.
2001: The first Nipah virus outbreak in India is reported in the Siliguri district of West Bengal. Concurrently, cases of the contagious disease emerge in neighboring Bangladesh. In Siliguri, there are reports of 66 unconfirmed cases and 45 deaths. Notably, 33 healthcare workers and hospital visitors fall ill after contact with infected patients, suggesting human-to-human transmission.
2007: A second Nipah virus outbreak occurs in West Bengal, India, with four members of a family succumbing to the virus in Belechuapara village. This outbreak spans from April 9 to April 28.
2018: In May, the third Nipah virus outbreak in India is reported, marking the first appearance of the disease in Kerala. This highly lethal and contagious outbreak claims 17 lives before being successfully contained through the coordinated efforts of state and central authorities. The outbreak remains limited to Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), only one individual diagnosed with Nipah survives.
2023: Nipah virus resurfaces in Kerala, resulting in the deaths of two infected individuals on August 30 and September 11. Contact tracing identifies 706 individuals at risk, with 77 categorized as high-risk and 153 health workers as low-risk.
In summary, the Nipah virus, originating from bats, has posed recurrent challenges in India and other parts of the world, with notable outbreaks and varying degrees of mortality. The recent resurgence in Kerala underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and effective containment measures in the face of such infectious diseases.
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