As Kerala health officials warn of second Nipah virus outbreak, here’s all you need to know of

Mangalore Today News Network

Kerala, June 02, 2018: As concern over the Nipah virus infection outbreak grows by the day, killing 17 people in Kerala so far, health officials in the southern state have warned of the possibility of a second outbreak.

Noting that all those in contact with the affected individuals are still in the incubating period of the virus, health minister KK Shailaja, in a statement on Friday, underlined that even though there is no need to fear or feel panic, as a matter of caution, all possible precautionary steps should be taken.

"We had indicated at the outset itself, there could be a possible second outbreak and the vulnerable are those who would have come in contact with the affected. All such people have to be closely watched... tests will reveal only at the appropriate time when the symptoms of the Nipah virus surface, so all those who have come in direct contact with the earlier affected have to see they get in touch with the special control room set up in Kozhikode," Shailaja said.

Even though there have been no positive cases on Friday, six persons were admitted to the Kozhikode medical college with symptoms of the virus, an official said. Of the 203 samples tested for the Nipah virus, there have been 18 positive cases.

Here is a detailed rundown of all that has happened since the Nipah virus infection broke out:

ICMR reaches out to Australia for antibody to ’neutralise’ virus

Nipah virus (NiV) infection is a newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans. The natural host of the virus are fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus. Currently, there is no vaccine or drug for the treatment of the Nipah virus infection. The treatment for human cases is supportive and management treatment along with intensive supportive care.

The fruit eating bat that was caught by the expert group, for the study of the spread of Nipah Virus at Perambra in Kozhikode on Wednesday, 30 May. These bats were sent to Bhopal for the tests regarding the presence of the virus. PTI

The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) had earlier reached out to the University of Queensland, Australia, which has developed an antibody to combat and ’neutralise’ the virus. The antibody was expected to reach India on Thursday.

According to The News Minute, the Human Monoclonal Antibody (M 102.4) is a non-patented drug, developed by Dr Christopher C Broder from Australia. The antibody is still referred by a number, and not a name as its clinical trials are yet to be completed. It is important to note, that the antibody can only neutralise the effects of the virus, and is not a vaccine.

"We have asked them to give their monoclonal antibody for conducting a test in India to find out if it can neutralise the Nipah virus in humans. In Australia, it has only been tried in vitro (happening outside the body in artificial conditions, often in a test tube) and has been found to be effective. But it has not been tested on humans," Dr Balram Bhargava, ICMR Director General, said while clarifying that it will not lead to the creation of a vaccine.

Kerala government steps up vigil in Kozhikode, Malappuram

The Kerala government on Friday stepped up vigil against the Nipah virus that has claimed 17 lives in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, even as staffers of a taluk hospital at Balussery have been asked to go on leave as a precautionary measure, after two Nipah-affected persons, who were treated at the hospital initially, succumbed to the virus.

Even though there have been no positive cases on Friday, six persons were admitted to the Kozhikode medical college with symptoms of the virus, an official said.

The Public Service Commission has postponed all its written and online exams, scheduled to be held, till 16 June. New dates will be announced later.

Courtesy: Yahoo,com