Employees of the Indian healthcare system wearing protective clothing.
Foto: – / AFP
After the emergence of the Nipah virus and two related deaths, India has restricted public life in the affected regions. Among other measures, authorities have banned public gatherings on Thursday and closed numerous schools in the southern state of Kerala. In addition to the two fatalities, three more individuals have tested positive for the virus.
According to the information, over 700 individuals are being monitored due to their contact with infected individuals. Among them are approximately 150 healthcare workers.
The Nipah virus can be transmitted from person to person or from animal to person. An infection leads to flu-like symptoms, painful brain inflammation, and coma. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nipah virus is a pathogen that could trigger a global epidemic. There is no vaccine or medication available, and the mortality rate is reported to be 40 to 75 percent by the WHO.
The Nipah virus was first discovered in 1998 during an epidemic among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore. Over 100 people died and nearly 300 were infected at that time. According to the WHO, over 600 cases of infection have been reported to date.
Wissenschaftler vermuten, dass Nipah schon seit Jahrtausenden bei Flughunden vorkommt.