Transmitted by infected bats, foods, humans and animals, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain; India has taken containment measures
A India issued an alert this Wednesday the 12th and took measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Nipah virus after confirming a new epidemic of the disease and at least two deaths. The virus, known since 1998, is dangerous because it can cause inflammation of the brain and lead to death. The chances of it spreading and reaching Brazil, however, are low, according to experts interviewed by Estadao.
Alexandre Naime Barbosa, professor at the State University of São Paulo (UNESP) and vice president of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI), says that the virus has a transmission method similar to Ebola, which requires close contact, and therefore tends to spread more and more slowly. Ebola is a serious disease, with a high mortality rate, which has already caused some outbreaks in some regions of Africa.
“The likelihood that this type of virus, with this form of transmission, will spread like the coronavirus (broadcast over the air), is very limited,” says Renato Grinbaum, consultant infectious disease specialist at the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI).
How is the Nipah virus spread?
Nipah is mainly transmitted via contact with saliva or urine of fruit bats – which feed on fruit, are typical of Asia and do not exist in Brazil – or from people or animals who have become infected by coming into contact with the saliva of these bats.
Due to these contagious characteristics, the virus is more common in communities close to Asian forestsespecially in the poorest places, where hygienic-sanitary conditions tend to be more precarious and the consumption of fruit bitten by bats or water contaminated by animal urine can occur.
Since the virus emerged in 1998, epidemics have been sporadic and with small number of infected, which reinforces the expectation that this new epidemic will be a one-off. However, according to Naime Barbosa, it is important not to overlook the power of the virus, mainly due to its own high mortality rate – between 40% and 75%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
For the doctor, yes It is essential that a vaccine is developed to prevent the virus from mutating and becoming more contagious in the future: today there is still no vaccine against Nipah. “Nowadays people travel a lot and hence the importance of what we call ‘global health’, where the entire medical community needs to be aware of epidemics like this, regardless of location,” he says.
According to Naime Barbosa, messenger RNA technology, used in Covid-19 vaccines, can help develop a more effective product more quickly. And as a preventive method, she underlines that “it is essential to spread the importance of basic sanitation and population orientation campaigns”.
Grinbaum agrees with his colleague and underlines that the alarm raised by India and the WHO must not be a cause for panic among the world population. These communications are common, according to the doctor, within the modus operandi globalization of healthcare teams.
“The World Health Organization launches these alarms for two fundamental reasons: to have surveillance and, if there is any error or increase in spread, this can be studied better; and so that the infectious disease specialist can act in travel medicine , guiding those who will travel to risk areas to take the necessary precautions and get vaccinated, if a vaccine becomes available,” says Grinbaum.
What are the symptoms and treatment of Nipan?
There is no certain cure for Nipah virus and no vaccine that can help prevent infection. According to the WHO, the main treatment available is supportive care, which is controlling symptoms and ensuring that infected people get as much rest and hydration as possible.
Infected people initially have the following symptoms:
- Fever;
- Difficult breathing;
- Heachache;
- Vomit
According to the WHO, in severe cases encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and acute respiratory problems can occur. Other reported side effects include seizures, which can lead to coma, and personality changes.
As with the corona virussome infected people remain asymptomatic.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
