September 5
Two more people were identified with symptoms of Nipah virus, said Kerala health minister Veena George on Sunday. Both were healthcare workers who were in contacts of the 12-year-old boy who died from the disease.
The Central team immediately rushed to the state to provide technical support.
Earlier in 2018, there was an outbreak of the disease in Kozhikode & Malappuram districts of the state. 17 people succumbed to the disease.
As per WHO, Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people.
Also Read: A Boy of 12 yr old dies of Nipah Virus in Kerala
In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.
