INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
reported an outbreak of the bat-borne virus.However, the ministry said Sri Lankans should not have any undue fears about this virus
infection, adding that the ordered test kits are expected to reach the country in the coming days.Following the outbreak in Kerala, the
Indian government has moved to institute mass testing to arrest the spread of the Nipah virus
The southern Indian state has thus far reported two deaths from the virus infections.Nipah is a rare but potentially serious virus that can
cause fever, vomiting and respiratory infections in humans
Symptoms appear from 4 - 14 days after exposure
Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural hosts of Nipah virus.Most often, severe cases involve seizures and encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain) and can progress to a coma within 24-48 hours, according to experts.World Health Organization (WHO) says the
fatality rate is estimated at 40% - 75%
However, this rate can vary by outbreak depending on local capabilities for epidemiological surveillance and clinical management.At present,
there are no approved vaccines or drugs to treat Nipah infections despite the WHO identifying the virus as a priority disease for WHO
Research and Development Blueprint
The usual treatment is to provide intensive supportive care.Nipah virus can infect humans through contact with the bodily fluids from
infected bats and pigs, or through contaminated food items
treatments, experts say it is very unlikely that the virus will lead to a global emergency.The first Nipah virus outbreak was reported in
1999 after the virus spread among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore
The virus has been named after the village where it was discovered.
