The case has raised alarm and triggered emergency measures in the country
In India, a 14-year-old boy has died from Nipah virus, local health officials said. The boy died from the incurable brain infection just a day after being diagnosed. The virus attacks the brain and can be transmitted to other people.
Get the latest news directly on WhatsApp! Subscribe to the Terra channel
The case has triggered emergency measures in the region. At least 60 people who had contact with the teenager have been isolated and tested for the virus. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the boy was a resident of Pandikkad and stressed the importance of wearing masks in public places to prevent the spread of the virus.
In an earlier case, in January this year, a man in Bangladesh died after contracting Nipah virus after consuming contaminated date juice. The virus, first identified in 1999, is known to spread to humans through contaminated food or through contact with bodily fluids of infected bats, pigs, or people.
According to the newspaper O Globo, the Nipah virus owes its name to the Malaysian village where it was first isolated. Belonging to the paramyxovirus family, the same as measles and mumps, Nipah is particularly feared due to its high mortality rate, which varies between 40% and 75%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Symptoms of Nipah infection include headache, difficulty breathing, cough, fever and swelling of the brain. In 2023, India recorded an outbreak that resulted in 10 deaths out of 14 confirmed cases, the highest number of deaths in seven years, according to data from the Institute of Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines for Nipah virus. Historically, the virus has primarily affected farmers and animals in Malaysia, with outbreaks also reported in Singapore and India. To date, more than 160 people have died in Bangladesh from the virus.
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.
