Experts on Kerala’s Nipah Virus Outbreak, it is serious now?
Kerala is grappling with its fourth outbreak of the Nipah virus outbreak since 2018, with a total of six cases reported this year.
The situation has prompted the state to implement stringent containment measures reminiscent of those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Educational institutions have been closed, and high-risk individuals have been advised to remain indoors.
In addition to these measures, the government is actively pursuing treatment options, including seeking assistance from Australia to procure monoclonal antibodies.
Nipah virus outbreak Spreads in Kerala:
The first recorded Nipah outbreak in Kerala occurred in 2018. Before that, India had experienced two Nipah outbreaks in West Bengal.
Since 2018, all Nipah outbreaks in India have been reported exclusively in Kerala. In 2019, a single case was reported in Ernakulam, and in 2021, a Nipah-related death occurred in Kozhikode.
Nipah virus is zoonotic, meaning it can spread between animals and humans. The virus can be transmitted to humans through infected fruits, animals, or contact with other infected individuals.
Read what Dr. A. Althaf, Chairman says:
However, the exact source of the first Nipah infection in each outbreak remains unknown. Dr. A. Althaf, Chairman of the Indian Medical Association Public Health Standing Committee, emphasized the importance of identifying the source of the initial infection, stating, “The first outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala was in May 2018…Most importantly, we still don’t know how the primary case contracted the disease. That is the key aspect we have to address right now.”
The virus may have originally spread from nature. But whether it originated from bats, other animals, or contaminated fruit remains unclear.
Former Health Minister KK Shailaja noted that the current Nipah outbreak is not as alarming as the 2018 outbreak when the state lacked experience dealing with the infection.
Nipah Among Bat Populations in Multiple States:
A survey conducted by the National Institute of Virology revealed that Nipah viral antibodies were present in bat populations across nine states and one Union Territory in India. The states are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, and Pondicherry.
However, experts are puzzled as to why Nipah outbreaks have been recurring primarily in Kerala. Possible explanations include the virus becoming endemic in Kerala’s bat population and cultural factors. Those consuming fresh toddy or sweet tree sap, which could become contaminated by infected bats.
There is also speculation that Nipah may have gone undetected in other states.
The repeated outbreaks of Nipah virus in Kerala underscore the importance of continued research and surveillance to better understand the virus. Its transmission and develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.
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