Nipah Virus has created a new panic in Kerala. This time the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) expressed concern about its infection. The death rate of people infected with this virus is higher than that of COVID, said the head of the organization Rajiv Bahl. The head of COVID said that the mortality rate of this Nipah Virus is 40 to 70 percent higher than that of COVID. If it is not controlled now, the situation could turn dire, he said.
Currently, the Government of India has taken initiatives to prevent infection among people who have come in contact with Nipah Virus victims. 20 doses of Monoclonal antibody have been requested from the company. But the organization has the monoclonal antibody dose for only 10 patients, the ICMR chief said. He also said that this dose has not been given to anyone so far.
The ICMR chief also said that there is no specific vaccine to prevent Nipah Virus infection. And the first phase trial of this Monoclonal antibody dose has just been completed. He expressed doubts about how much it can prevent infection. According to him, it can be used as a sympathetic dose.
Currently, the number of Kerala Nipah Virus cases has increased to six. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said one more person was infected on Friday after Thursday. All the affected are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. So far 2 people have died due to Nipah Virus.
The number of people who have come in contact with the infected is 706. They have been identified, Kerala Health Department sources said. Of these, more than 70 people are likely to be affected by Nipah Virus, the department said. However, so far no symptoms of Nipah Virus have been observed in exposed people.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry is worried about the Kerala Nipah Virus outbreak. A team of experts has been sent to Kozhikode. Experts have been requested to consult a doctor only in case of fever. Along with that, they emphasized sample testing. Special surveillance is also underway on 15 people admitted to Beskari Hospital in Kozhikode with unknown fever.
11 wards of Kozhikode have been declared as containment zones to prevent the spread of the virus. All educational institutions have been closed in this area. An appeal has been made to people not to go out of the house without essential work.
