Recently the Nipah virus occupied the front pages of all newspapers and created a sensation on social media. This highly contagious disease created havoc as it took the lives of many people in South India.
However, most us are unaware of the actual cause of this disease, and it is perhaps due to limited knowledge that people increasingly become an easy victim of this dreadful disease.
This article presents specific facts regarding Nipah virus which will help you understand it better and likewise take precautionary measures.
1. Origin of the Virus
Nipah virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae virus family. It was identified in the year 1999 with the occurrence of respiratory illness and encephalitis amongst pig farmers in Singapore and Malaysia.
In the same year, pigs were detected with this virus, and almost 300 human cases were reported.
This outbreak gave a clear indication that Nipah virus gets transmitted from animals like pigs and bats and humans who come in close contact with such animals get infected with it.
2. Symptoms
Following are the symptom of Nipah virus:
- Drowsiness
- Fever for 3-14 days
- Respiratory problems
- Headache
- Mental confusion
- Inflammation of brain
Symptoms mentioned above may reach a severe level within 24 to 48 hours. Most patients face breathing problems in the initial stages of this disease.
3. Transmission of the Virus
A person can get infected with this virus if he/she comes in close contact with animals like pigs or bats. Also, the virus can spread from an infected person due to close contact between family members or medical caregivers.
The most common medium of getting infected from this dreadful virus is date palm as it gets infected with excretion of bats.
4. Preventive Measures
One of the first and foremost measures that one can take is keeping a distance from animals like pigs and especially bats. Avoid sap of raw date plant.
As soon as the symptoms occur you should immediately consult a doctor and get diagnosed. Surveillance tools can help you in the early detection of the virus.
Read More: Sarsai Is A Village In Bihar That Worships Bats
5. Studies Undertaken for Immunisation
Different investigations have identified bats as the main source of Nipah virus. So, researchers have tried finding vaccinations whereby transfer of the antibodies has been considered.
When the Nipah virus glycoprotein was inducted into the immune system of hamsters, a positive outcome was encountered. Studies have shown that a strong immune system could help in preventing animals from getting infected by this virus.
6. Additional Precautions
a. Be careful while consuming fruits and vegetables which come from the affected area
b. Keep a physical barrier around while rearing animals like piglets, like net or face mask
c. Wash every fruit or vegetable before consuming to ensure that it does not have any trace of bat dropping on it
d. Maintain a high level of personal hygiene
One may take all the required precautions, but the fact is- ‘Life is Uncertain’. It’s not just about Nipah virus.
Lifestyle diseases, increasing pollution levels and a higher level of stress are negatively affecting one’s health. These factors are increasingly becoming the cause of lifestyle diseases like cancer, heart diseases etc.
Therefore, to ensure that the future of your loved ones is secured in your absence, you need to have a financial backup in place. Term life insurance plan serves this purpose.
Term life insurance, also known as pure protection insurance, pays a lump sum amount to your nominees after your demise, allowing them to take care of household expenses, without the need to make changes in their current lifestyle.
The pay-out received can also be used to fulfill goals of your family, without forcing them to compromise due to financial strain.
Conclusion:
Hope this article gave you a thorough understanding of the essential facts related to Nipah virus. Simply put, early detection and taking preventive measures can help you to protect yourself from this life-threatening virus.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: CDC, Time, The Hindu + more
Other Recommendations:
http://edtimes.in/2018/06/could-the-nipah-virus-outbreak-hit-u-p-next-because-of-bananas-and-mangoes/
