The Indian state of Kerala is currently working to control a new outbreak of the dangerous Nipah virus. So far, two people have died and at least five have been infected, according to government officials.
In response, schools in the affected Kozhikode district are closed, certain villages have been designated as containment zones, and 950 contacts have been identified, with 213 considered “high risk.” Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed on Wednesday the case of a 24-year-old healthcare worker as the fifth infected person. Additionally, a 9-year-old infected individual remains on ventilation, as reported by government sources.
Addressing the situation, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged residents to remain calm, exercise caution, and fully comply with the implemented restrictions to contain the disease. Notably, since 2018, Kerala has experienced four Nipah outbreaks, with the latest occurring in 2021, coinciding with the state’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Nipah virus as a priority disease due to its potential for epidemics, estimating its fatality rate to be between 40 and 75 percent. The strain detected in Kerala, known as the Bangladesh strain, is highly lethal but less contagious, as reported by Indian media.
So, what do you need to know about Nipah virus?
