Nipah Alert: Two More Nurses with Symptoms Admitted in Kolkata Hospital; Do’s and Don’ts to Stay Safe

Two

more nurses were admitted to a hospital in Kolkata after they started showing symptoms of the Nipah virus infection, a health department official has revealed. According to news reports, the two were engaged in the treatment of a health worker who tested positive for the deadly virus at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital. One of the nurses was brought to the city hospital on Tuesday, while the other was shifted from the Bardhaman facility on January 14, the official said. “These two health workers have symptoms of being infected with the Nipah virus. Their samples have been collected and sent for examination,” the official was quoted by the Economic Times.

The other two patients are in critical condition

Meanwhile, the doctors have said that the two patients, also nurses, who were confirmed with Nipah virus, are in critical condition and have been moved to a ventilator. Doctors say one is in a coma and the other is in a severely critical state. According to reports, the nurses had high fever and respiratory issues. Union Health Minister JP Nadda has assured the West Bengal Government of comprehensive technical, logistical, and operational support following the detection of two suspected Nipah virus cases at ICMRVRDL, AIIMS Kalyani. The Health Ministry has posted on the social media site X. The state government says it is “fully prepared” to tackle the situation. “The state is fully prepared; we have testing facilities also. The state government has a protocol, which hospitals have to follow, whether for treatment or isolation. We are alert and working,” Swaroop Nigam, Health Secretary of West Bengal, told The Indian Express. Nipah has resurfaced in the state, following outbreaks in Siliguri in 2001 and Tehatta in 2007.

What is the Nipah virus?

Nipah virus, or NiV, spreads between animals and people and is a zoonotic virus. According to experts, it spreads mainly through fruit bats but can also spread through pigs and other animals like goats, horses, dogs, or cats. The virus spreads when:

• People or animals have contact with the bodily fluids - blood, poop, pee, or saliva of an infected animal.
• People eat foods that have been contaminated by an infected animal.
• People are in close contact with a person who has the Nipah virus, usually while caring for them.

The best way to avoid this dangerous virus is to avoid exposure to sick animals in areas with known transmission. This includes avoiding food products that an infected animal can contaminate, like raw date palm sap or fruit. Since the virus can spread from person to person through bodily fluids, you should avoid or take precautions when going near anyone with the virus. Nipah was first discovered in 1999 when it led to 100 deaths in Malaysia and Singapore. Over 1 million pigs were affected by the virus, which had a major economic impact on the countries. Since then, there have been about 20 additional outbreaks.

Signs and symptoms of the Nipah virus

Doctors say symptoms of the Nipah virus usually begin within four to 14 days after exposure to it. It is also common to have a fever or headache first and develop respiratory problems like cough and difficulty breathing later. A few initial symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headaches
• Breathlessness
• Cough and sore throat
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Muscle pain
• Weakness

Ways to protect yourself from the virus

The important do’s and don’ts regarding protection from the virus include:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid any contact with sick animals
• Always clean and disinfect farms where animals are kept
• Avoid trees or bushes where bats are known to rest or sleep
• Avoid eating or drinking things that may be contaminated, such as palm sap or fruit
• Throw away any fruit with bat bites or fruit that’s touched the ground
• Avoid contact with the saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids of a person with the virus.
• Always make sure to be in isolation or full coverage gowns that protect against bodily fluids.
• Wear medical gloves
• In hospitals and other healthcare centers, healthcare providers should practice standard infection control protocols.