Nipah can be a seasonal affair in the State and is most likely to resurface during the same period next year, says George Varghese, scientist and head of the Pushpagiri Centre for Virology and Molecular Biology in Thiruvalla.

Dr. Varghese told The Hindu that the news on a clinically confirmed case of Nipah virus infection in Kochi had literally shaken the State. “Nipah is a virus that primarily reside in birds or animals which can get transmitted accidentally to humans (zoonotic diseases). Once it establishes in humans, it could get transmitted to other humans,” Dr. Varghese said.

Fruit bats were the natural reservoir of Nipah. Fruits, water, or toddy contaminated with infected bat saliva or excreta could transmit the disease to humans, he said. Livestock like cattle and pigs could get infected from bats and the disease could be transmitted to humans from these animals too.

Human to human transmission was common among close contacts last year, Dr. Varghese said.

Symptoms

Nipah begins like any other viral fever. Mild to severe fever, body ache, headache, cough, diarrhoea, and so on are the common symptoms. However, suddenly it could progress to severe lung infection leading to breathlessness. Slurring of speech and altered sensorium leading to encephalitis (infection of the brain) might develop.

Neither there were effective medicines nor a vaccine against Nipah. Therefore other preventive measures should be followed.

Dr. Varghese said in case of fever, people should visit a doctor. “Keep away from bat-contaminated edibles or articles. Always be vigilant of the chance of contracting the disease from livestock as well. Nipah and other flu virus could easily get killed in simple soap solution, therefore wash your hands and face frequently.”