As the deadly Nipah virus resurfaces in Kerala, the State machinery has swung into action for swift containment of the brain damaging disease.
According to the World Health Organisation, Nipah virus is a newly emerging disease that can be transmitted from its reservoir (natural wildlife host), the flying foxes (fruit bats), to both animals and humans.
Symptoms range from asymptomatic infection, acute respiratory infection and encephalitis. Infected people initially develop influenza-like symptoms of fever, headache, vomiting and sore throat. This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis.
(This is a compilation of The Hindu's coverage of the Nipah outbreak. It will be updated as and when new information emerges.)
