Authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala are trying to contain an outbreak of the Nipah henipavirus. A 12-year-old boy died from him.
The Nipah virus is one of the deadliest viruses that causes serious illness with brain inflammation or respiratory problems.
According to Futurism, the Nipah virus is considered one of the deadliest viruses in the world, which spreads from animal to person. Transmission usually occurs through direct human contact with animals or through the ingestion of contaminated food. In addition, there have been a large number of person-to-person transmission of Nipah.
The last time the Nipah outbreak occurred in India, it killed 17 of the 18 infected patients. Fortunately, the virus is much less contagious than COVID-19. However, there is no cure or vaccine for it. Up to 75% of infections are fatal, and about 20% of survivors experience long-term neurological symptoms.
Kerala state authorities in India are extremely concerned about the new outbreak. As of Monday, they have identified, quarantined and screened at least 188 people who have come into contact with the deceased boy, according to CBS News. They also cordoned off the entire area within a radius of about three kilometers from the boy's house.
Two health workers who treated the boy are showing symptoms of Nipah infection, CBS reports. Both paramedics are hospitalized and awaiting blood test results.