Posted on : May 25, 2018
How Does Nipah Virus Spread?
- Direct contact with infected bats, pigs (saliva, excreta)
- Direct contact with Nipah virus infected people
- Consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated with infectious bat excretions
What are the signs and symptoms of Nipah infection?
- Incubation period of Nipah Virus ranges from 5 - 14 days
- The illness presents in 3-14 days with fever and headache
- Drowsiness
- Respiratory illness / cough
- Neurological signs - disorientation and mental confusion
- Convulsions; personality changes
- Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
- The symptoms can progress to coma within 24 - 48 hours
What are the precautions that need to be taken to prevent Nipah infection?
- Do not eat fruits that have been bitten / half-eaten by bats, birds or animals
- Prevent any contact with bat excreta, including using water from wells contaminated by bats
- Avoid consuming Toddy collected in open containers in areas with large bat population
- Avoid close contact with domestic animals
- Use gloves and personal protection while handling excreta of domestic animals.
- Consume only cooked food, avoid raw fruits and vegetables
- Avoid close contact with patients with confirmed Nipah virus infection
- Do not share clothes, bed linen, towels or utensils with infected persons
- Keep a minimum distance of 1 meter (one arm’s distance) and use personal mask while visiting patients in hospitals.
- After visiting patients, wash hands with soap and water before eating
- Use hand sanitizer to disinfect hands
- Avoid touching people who died of Nipah virus infection during cremation
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention from qualified Infectious Disease Physicians in Kochi Kerala at a specialized Infectious Disease Hospital in Kochi Kerala.
