India gears up for Nipah virus outbreak

Five more samples tested negative for the virus.

India’s Kerala strengthened their healthcare system as they have so far reported six infections of the Nipah virus in their state, a local media, ANI, said.

In an interview with ANI, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said five more samples were revealed negative for the Nipah virus. No new cases were reported whilst over 900 people are under quarantine.

In the Philippines, its health department revealed that they have no recorded Nipah virus cases.

The World Health Organization indicated that the Nipah virus infection in humans may cause a range of clinical presentations from asymptomatic to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis.

Its fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75% whilst its rate can vary by outbreak depending on local capabilities for surveillance and clinical management. It can be transmitted to humans from animals or contaminated foods. It may also be transmitted from human-to-human contact.

The disease was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak of illness that hit pig farmers in close contact with pigs in Malaysia and Singapore.