Nipah virus, a brain-damaging virus, has caused two deaths in Kerala and infected two, and hundreds more tested triggering alert in the state.

Kerala is on high alert and trying to contain the spread of the deadly Nipah virus which has claimed two lives. More than 130 people have been tested for the brain-damaging virus in the southern Indian state, while two people – an adult and a nine-year-old child are infected.

The National Institute of Virology in Pune established that five samples tested positive, one of the deceased and two people, who are undergoing treatment. Veena George, the Kerala Health Minister, confirmed there have been two “unnatural deaths” in Kozhikode district. She said the person who died on August 30 had liver sclerosis and some comorbidities. The health authorities began surveillance when the deceased’s relatives and primary contacts began showing unnatural fever and other symptoms.

George said they have taken all the precautionary steps based on suspicion that the death may be due to Nipah virus. “We have conducted preliminary tests. But it can be confirmed only after the samples are tested at Pune NIV.”

An isolation center is being set up at Kozhikode Medical College hospital.

What is Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus, like the coronavirus, is a zoonotic virus transmitted from animals to humans According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nipah virus was discovered in 1999 following an outbreak of disease in pigs and people in Malaysia and Singapore. More than a 100 deaths were recorded and over 300 people were infected.

Nipah virus, known as NiV, is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus. Fruit bats are said to host this zoonotic virus. Experts say infected fruit bats can spread the disease to people or animals, such as pigs. People can easily get infected if they come close to an already infected animal or its bodily fluids, like urine or saliva.

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It is a public health concern because the nipah virus infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease, even death.

Symptoms You Should Be Aware About

It’s better to take precautions, stay away from animals, but one should be aware of the symptoms. People infected with nipah virus experience fever, headache, muscle ache, sore throat and vomiting. They can experience drowsiness, dizziness, and atypical pneumonia, as well as severe respiratory problems. Some are known to have suffered seizures.

Experts say diagnosis is often not suspected, and is determined through laboratory tests and results.