The re-emergence of Nipah virus cases in southern India's Kerala state has sparked a wave of public health precautions in the region. So far two people have succumbed to the illness caused by the virus, with six confirmed cases at the time of filing this report.&nbsp;

Nipah (NiV) is a zoonotic virus. That is, it is a virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans.&nbsp;

Evidence cited in medical journals shows that fruit bats and pigs host the virus which can lead to serious illness in both animals and humans.&nbsp;

Since its sudden onset transitions into complications such as encephalitis -- a deadly infection of the brain -- death can occur in up to 75 per cent of the patients, according to the World Health Organization.&nbsp;

<h2>What happens to a person with Nipah virus?</h2>

In all the outbreaks of Nipah virus so far, since it was first reported in Malaysia in 1998, patients develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms.

They include fever, headache, respiratory difficulties, convulsions, coughing, and vomiting.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-deadly-nipah-virus-strikes-india-symptoms-and-more-heres-all-you-need-to-know-636432">Explained | Deadly Nipah virus strikes India; symptoms, and more, here's all you need to know</a>

Additionally, if the virus is not detected early, then further complications such as respiratory infections and atypical pneumonia may develop.&nbsp;

These symptoms can progress quite rapidly, within just 24 to 48 hours, and further lead to coma and eventually death.

<h2>Can Nipah virus be treated?</h2>

There is no cure or vaccine to treat the Nipah virus yet. However, it emerged on September 16 that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is ramping up its efforts to develop a potential vaccine.

Treatments, therefore, are limited to symptomatic and furthermore supportive care to treat the signs and symptoms of the illness. If further complications are seen, consideration needs to be taken to treat possible cases of encephalitis which can be transmitted from one person to another. Therefore, it’s important to implement standard infection control practices to limit transferal.

<h2>So what is the way forward to treat Nipah virus?</h2>

India has reached out to Australia seeking to restock monoclonal antibody doses to treat the cases of the viral disease. It is expecting 20 more doses soon, according to Dr Rajiv Bahl, head of the Indian Council of Medical Research.

But the monoclonal antibody doses have not been tested for their efficacy but only the safety, Dr Vivek Nangia, Chief of Pulmonology at Max Hospital in New Delhi told WION.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Another deadly bat virus is here: Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, should you be scared?

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"M102.4 is the name of this monoclonal antibody," specified Dr Nangia in a conversation with WION.&nbsp;

<h2>Why is Kerala vulnerable to the spread of Nipah virus?</h2>

Kerala is a tropical state with simultaneous deforestation and rapid urbanisation.&nbsp;Its mountain forests and wooded hillocks, that are prime bat habitat, have been progressively cleared to make way for human use.&nbsp;The drive for resources is destroying the habitat of bats – which carry tens of thousands of viruses – and creating conditions ripe for a bat-borne disease to spill over to humanity. 
 
In Kerala, humans and animals — such as bats that can carry the virus — have closer contact.&nbsp;It is also home to more than 40 species of bats.

This is its fourth such outbreak since 2018. Last three outbreaks were contained through a mix of measures such as treatment towards symptoms and contact tracing to the last person concerned.

<h2>How to prevent the spread of Nipah virus?</h2>

Dr Vivek Nangia pointed out that since the virus is known to transmit from bats and stray animals, one must avoid coming in contact with stray animals.&nbsp;

As a matter of precaution, he recommended avoiding the consumption of Raw Date Palm Sap on which bats are known to inhabitate.

Hailing, the 'war-footing' effort by the state government of Kerala, Dr Nangia said: "They are doing a very good job. They have traced all the contacts of the 5-6 patients."&nbsp;

"The only problem is that the incubation period of this virus is 4-14 days but could extend well up to 45 days," Dr Nangia cautioned. 
&nbsp;

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The re-emergence of Nipah virus cases in southern India's Kerala state has sparked a wave of public health precautions in the region. So far two people have succumbed to the illness caused by the virus, with six confirmed cases at the time of filing this report.

The re-emergence of Nipah virus cases in southern India's Kerala state has sparked a wave of public health precautions in the region. So far two people have succumbed to the illness caused by the virus, with six confirmed cases at the time of filing this report. Nipah (NiV) is a zoonotic virus. That is, it is a virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Evidence cited in medical journals shows that fruit bats and pigs host the virus which can lead to serious illness in both animals and humans. Since its sudden onset transitions into complications such as encephalitis -- a deadly infection of the brain -- death can occur in up to 75 per cent of the patients, according to the World Health Organization. What happens to a person with Nipah virus? In all the outbreaks of Nipah virus so far, since it was first reported in Malaysia in 1998, patients develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms. They include fever, headache, respiratory difficulties, convulsions, coughing, and vomiting. Also read | Explained | Deadly Nipah virus strikes India; symptoms, and more, here's all you need to know Additionally, if the virus is not detected early, then further complications such as respiratory infections and atypical pneumonia may develop. These symptoms can progress quite rapidly, within just 24 to 48 hours, and further lead to coma and eventually death. Can Nipah virus be treated? There is no cure or vaccine to treat the Nipah virus yet. However, it emerged on September 16 that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is ramping up its efforts to develop a potential vaccine. Treatments, therefore, are limited to symptomatic and furthermore supportive care to treat the signs and symptoms of the illness. If further complications are seen, consideration needs to be taken to treat possible cases of encephalitis which can be transmitted from one person to another. Therefore, it’s important to implement standard infection control practices to limit transferal. So what is the way forward to treat Nipah virus? India has reached out to Australia seeking to restock monoclonal antibody doses to treat the cases of the viral disease. It is expecting 20 more doses soon, according to Dr Rajiv Bahl, head of the Indian Council of Medical Research. But the monoclonal antibody doses have not been tested for their efficacy but only the safety, Dr Vivek Nangia, Chief of Pulmonology at Max Hospital in New Delhi told WION. Also watch | Gravitas | Another deadly bat virus is here: Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, should you be scared? × "M102.4 is the name of this monoclonal antibody," specified Dr Nangia in a conversation with WION. Why is Kerala vulnerable to the spread of Nipah virus? Kerala is a tropical state with simultaneous deforestation and rapid urbanisation. Its mountain forests and wooded hillocks, that are prime bat habitat, have been progressively cleared to make way for human use. The drive for resources is destroying the habitat of bats – which carry tens of thousands of viruses – and creating conditions ripe for a bat-borne disease to spill over to humanity. In Kerala, humans and animals — such as bats that can carry the virus — have closer contact. It is also home to more than 40 species of bats. This is its fourth such outbreak since 2018. Last three outbreaks were contained through a mix of measures such as treatment towards symptoms and contact tracing to the last person concerned. How to prevent the spread of Nipah virus? Dr Vivek Nangia pointed out that since the virus is known to transmit from bats and stray animals, one must avoid coming in contact with stray animals. As a matter of precaution, he recommended avoiding the consumption of Raw Date Palm Sap on which bats are known to inhabitate. Hailing, the 'war-footing' effort by the state government of Kerala, Dr Nangia said: "They are doing a very good job. They have traced all the contacts of the 5-6 patients." "The only problem is that the incubation period of this virus is 4-14 days but could extend well up to 45 days," Dr Nangia cautioned. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Factbox: How to avoid the spread of Nipah virus. Here's everything we know

The death toll from the deadly Nipah virus on Sunday rose to 14 in Kerala after one more person died in&nbsp;Kozhikode.

Most of the deaths reported are from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.

The state government has also issued an advisory, asking travellers to avoid visiting the four districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur.

The Nipah virus, which is spread by fruit bats and pigs, can cause a communicable disease that can be fatal for both animals and humans.

The symptoms of the disease, which is so far limited to Kerala, include fever, headache, drowsiness, respiratory illness, disorientation, and mental confusion.

These signs and symptoms can progress to coma within 24-48 hours, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

As per a government advisory, the spread of Nipah virus to humans may occur after close contact with other Nipah infected people, infected bats, or infected pigs. Bat secretions laden with virus can infect people during tree climbing, eating/handling contaminated fallen fruits or consuming raw date palm sap/juice or toddy.

Human to human infection can occur from close contact with persons affected with Nipah at home while providing care or close contact and in hospital setting if appropriate personal protective personal equipments are not used.

Those at higher risk for infection include people who are exposed to areas inhabited by fruit bats/articles contaminated by secretions such as unused wells, caves, fruit orchards; persons with direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues; persons in close contact with a Nipah virus affected deceased during burial or cremation rituals; and health care workers having direct contact with probable or confirmed cases without using standard precautionary measures. 
&nbsp;

Most of the deaths reported are from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts

The death toll from the deadly Nipah virus on Sunday rose to 14 in Kerala after one more person died in Kozhikode. Most of the deaths reported are from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The state government has also issued an advisory, asking travellers to avoid visiting the four districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur. The Nipah virus, which is spread by fruit bats and pigs, can cause a communicable disease that can be fatal for both animals and humans. The symptoms of the disease, which is so far limited to Kerala, include fever, headache, drowsiness, respiratory illness, disorientation, and mental confusion. These signs and symptoms can progress to coma within 24-48 hours, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). As per a government advisory, the spread of Nipah virus to humans may occur after close contact with other Nipah infected people, infected bats, or infected pigs. Bat secretions laden with virus can infect people during tree climbing, eating/handling contaminated fallen fruits or consuming raw date palm sap/juice or toddy. Human to human infection can occur from close contact with persons affected with Nipah at home while providing care or close contact and in hospital setting if appropriate personal protective personal equipments are not used. Those at higher risk for infection include people who are exposed to areas inhabited by fruit bats/articles contaminated by secretions such as unused wells, caves, fruit orchards; persons with direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues; persons in close contact with a Nipah virus affected deceased during burial or cremation rituals; and health care workers having direct contact with probable or confirmed cases without using standard precautionary measures.

Kerala: Death toll from Nipah virus rises to 14

Fruit sellers in Kerala have faced the brunt of the deadly Nipah virus. They say their incomes have been reduced as customers fear that fruits might be infected with the virus.

A fruit seller, Sulfi, told ANI, "Even though we are selling at half of the usual price, no one is willing to buy."

Health officials, as well as an advisory released by the government, have stated that the virus may be spread by fruit bats.&nbsp

However, a medical test report has claimed that fruit bats may not be the carrier of the virus which has claimed 14 lives so far.

The blood and serum samples of 21 bats tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal returned negative results for the virus.

These may, however, be initial findings and require more investigation, experts have said. 
&nbsp

A fruit seller, Sulfi, told ANI, 'Even though we are selling at half of the usual price, no one is willing to buy'

Fruit sellers in Kerala have faced the brunt of the deadly Nipah virus. They say their incomes have been reduced as customers fear that fruits might be infected with the virus. A fruit seller, Sulfi, told ANI, "Even though we are selling at half of the usual price, no one is willing to buy." Health officials, as well as an advisory released by the government, have stated that the virus may be spread by fruit bats. However, a medical test report has claimed that fruit bats may not be the carrier of the virus which has claimed 14 lives so far. The blood and serum samples of 21 bats tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal returned negative results for the virus. These may, however, be initial findings and require more investigation, experts have said.

Fruit sellers in Kerala pay a price for the deadly Nipah virus