Nipah Virus: Precautions, Symptoms And Things To Know

Nipah virus has once again been reported in Kerala. Th government and department of health and family welfare has urged the people to take precautions regarding this. The necessary precautions to be taken and symptoms which could help identify the infection is being detailed below:

How to prevent an infection, the Precaution to taken:

It is advised to wear an N95 mask in the proper manner

Advised to practice/keep physical distancing or avoid physical or close contact

Wash your hands frequently at regular intervals, using soap and water for 20 seconds, if soap and water is not available, use a sanitiser which has alcohol content in it.

Do not consume/eat fruits which are half eaten by birds or animals or fruits found lying on ground.

In areas where bats are found or present, do not consume toddy which has been tapped in open vessels from palm/coconut trees

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and well before eating

In case of any symptoms, get in touch with health workers and follow their instructions

Symptoms of viral infection:

Initial symptoms are fever accompanied with headache, tiredness/fatigue/dizziness, cough, throat ache and pain in the body.

As Nipah Virus sets in, the symptoms are, nausea/vomiting, coma or becoming senseless, mental disorientation/derangement/become mentally delusional, seizures/ abnormal movements, change in behaviour, lapse in sensory faculties and breathlessness.

If not consulted on the right time, it could lead to medical complications and death

How the Nipah virus spreads

Humans could contact the virus from bats and pigs which are already infected

Human to human spread happens when in close contact with an already infected person or through contact with physical fluids with an already infected person.

Virus could spread through, when in contact with infected bats body fluids like, faecal matter/droppings, urine and saliva, so it is advised to keep away from water or liquids and fruits which could be contaminated with this.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis are made on the basis of tests from throat swab, blood, urine and from cerebrospinal fluid.

(Inputs from a public awareness flyer by the State Health and Family Department, Kerala)