The spread of the Nipah virus has resulted in the second death in Kerala, southern India. The 24-year-old student marks the second fatality in the area in recent months. In June, a 14-year-old died after contracting the infection. Over 200 potential victims have been identified and placed under quarantine by the authorities. As reported by The Hindu, some schools and universities have closed, while others have implemented mask-wearing policies. Numerous outbreaks caused by this virus have occurred in South-East Asia. The Sun recently reported that a new global pandemic is feared.
The Nipah virus is an RNA virus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae, within the genus Henipavirus. It is classified as a zoonotic pathogen, as it can be transmitted from animals to humans, predominantly through direct contact with body fluids such as blood or saliva. The mortality rate associated with infection in both humans and animals is notably high. Given that there is currently no specific treatment for Nipah virus infection, it is of the utmost importance to prioritise prevention and the isolation of suspected cases.
