KOZHIKODE: Two persons have been found to be infected by Nipah virus in Kerala. This was confirmed by Kerala health minister Veena George on Sunday. Earlier in the day, a 12-year-old child died in a hospital in Kozhikode after the kid contracted the deadly virus.
According to a news agency's report, health minister Veena George said that two more persons have been identified with the Nipah virus infection. Both the infected persons are among the 20 high-risk contacts of the 12-year-old child which died in the Kozhikode hospital, the health minister said. She added that all the high-risk contacts of the kid would be brought to the Kozhikode hospital on Sunday and that other contacts of the deceased child have been asked to remain in isolation.
Check out the symptoms and remedies of Nipah virus below:
Nipah virus infection, which is a zoonotic disease, is associated with encephalitis. The virus' incubation period is usually between five days to two weeks. Initially, a person who contracts the virus may suffer from fever and headache followed by drowsiness and disorientation. It finally leads to coma. Many also suffer from respiratory issues. It is a very serious illness and nearly 40 per cent of patients could lose their lives from various complications after getting infected by the virus.
The diagnosis of the virus is done via ELISA test. Diagnosis can also be by a test called PCR or by viral cultures. The remedy of the illness is supportive care and infected patients may need intensive care monitoring. There is no specific treatment for the virus infection till date.
Also Watch: