In the Indian state of Kerala, a ban on gatherings and school closures were imposed following the outbreak of the Nipah virus. Public life has largely come to a standstill. According to local media reports (Thursday), two people had previously died from the infection; at least four were taken to hospital. More than 700 people, including 150 health workers, are isolated after coming into contact with infected people. Like the Nipah outbreak in Kerala in 2018, Kozhikode district was once again affected. The neighboring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu now make testing mandatory for travelers from Kerala.
Nipah is a virus that is transmitted to humans by flying foxes, bats and pigs. This virus can also be transmitted through contaminated food or through direct person-to-person contact. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no vaccine. In humans, the infection causes dangerous brain inflammation. The death rate ranges between 40 and 75 percent. Politician and health expert KK Shailaja said the new outbreak was not as worrying as previous outbreaks. “In 2018, this was a new virus for us and we had no experience in fighting such infections. Now we have everything it takes to contain it effectively,” stressed Shailaja. He was the health minister of Kerala at that time.
