🧫 Nipah Virus Outbreak: A Deadly Zoonotic Threat
- The SKNH
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
🦠 What is Nipah Virus?
Nipah Virus (NiV) is a highly infectious and deadly virus transmitted from animals to humans, particularly fruit bats (flying foxes) and pigs. It can also spread through contaminated food and person-to-person contact.
First identified in 1999 in Malaysia, the virus has caused repeated outbreaks in India, especially in Kerala and West Bengal — with mortality rates ranging from 40% to 75%.
📣 Why is it in the News?
In 2023 and 2024, Kerala reported fresh outbreaks of Nipah Virus, causing deaths and prompting lockdown-style containment. The fear has returned in 2025 due to recent cases in Bangladesh and border districts of North East India — triggering surveillance alerts in several states, including West Bengal.
The virus remains a global concern because of its high fatality rate, potential for human-to-human transmission, and lack of specific treatment.
🧍♂️🧍♀️ How It Spreads
Source of Infection | Mode of Transmission |
Fruit bats (natural hosts) | Contaminated fruit or tree sap |
Infected pigs or animals | Direct contact or secretions |
Human-to-human transmission | Saliva, urine, respiratory droplets |
Hospital-based transmission | Poor infection control measures |
🔍 Symptoms of Nipah Virus
Nipah Virus infection can escalate very quickly, often beginning as a flu-like illness and worsening into brain inflammation (encephalitis).
Early Symptoms | Severe Complications |
Fever & Headache | Seizures |
Muscle Pain | Brain swelling |
Sore Throat & Vomiting | Disorientation, Confusion |
Drowsiness | Coma within 24–48 hours (in some cases) |
🔔 Symptoms typically appear 5–14 days after exposure.
⚠️ Who is at Risk?
Farmers working with animals
People consuming raw date palm sap or unwashed fruits
Healthcare workers (without proper PPE)
Individuals in outbreak zones or near forests
🛡️ Prevention Tips from SKNH
There is no vaccine for Nipah Virus yet — prevention is the only protection.
✅ Safety Measures:
Avoid eating partially eaten or fallen fruits
Never consume raw date palm sap
Do not handle sick animals without protection
Wear masks and gloves if caring for a suspected case
Isolate if symptoms appear and contact SKNH immediately
🏥 How SKNH is Prepared
At Sree Krishna Nursing Home (SKNH), we remain vigilant and prepared to handle such outbreaks:
24x7 emergency services
Fever and isolation wards
Rapid referral for critical neurological cases
Safe sample collection protocols
Public health education in rural areas
Our medical teams are trained to detect symptoms early and follow strict infection control protocols.
📌 About SKNH
Sree Krishna Nursing Home (SKNH) is a multi-specialty hospital in Narayangarh, committed to public health safety, awareness, and preparedness for outbreaks like Nipah, COVID-19, and others.
📍 Address: Sree Krishna Nursing Home, Narayangarh, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal – 721437
📞 Phone: 03229-258257 / +91 8327529897
🌐 Website: www.sknh.in
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