Health authorities in Kolkata are sounding the alarm about the Nipah virus. This infection carries an extremely high mortality rate that demands serious attention. While Covid-19 proved highly contagious, Nipah presents a different, more lethal challenge.
A Stark Mortality Comparison
Public health data reveals a frightening disparity. On average, Covid-19 proves fatal for about two out of every one hundred infected individuals. In stark contrast, the Nipah virus can kill up to ninety out of one hundred people it infects. This staggering ninety percent mortality rate is the core reason for heightened concern among medical professionals.
Transmission: A Different Pathway
Experts clarify a crucial difference in how these viruses spread. Covid-19 is an airborne respiratory infection, easily passing from person to person. Nipah virus transmission follows a different route.
The primary source of human infection is fruit bats. People typically contract the virus by consuming raw date palm sap or fruits contaminated with bat secretions. Human-to-human transmission is documented but occurs less frequently.
"While human-to-human transmission is documented, the primary source of infection in humans is consuming raw date palm sap or fruits contaminated by bat secretions," explained Dr. Arkendu Basu, an infectious diseases specialist at Mission Hospital in Durgapur.
Why Nipah Hasn't Caused a Pandemic
Despite its severity, the Nipah virus lacks the pandemic potential of Covid-19. A key factor is the nature of the illness it causes.
"While the Nipah virus is contagious, unlike Covid-19 it does not have the potential to become a pandemic. The severity of the infection, with a high mortality rate, is a major cause of concern," said Dr. Sayan Chakraborty, an infectious diseases specialist at Manipal Hospitals Dhakuria.
Unlike Covid-19, where many carriers show no symptoms, Nipah infection makes people very ill quickly. This severe illness often prevents them from moving around in public, which naturally limits the virus's spread. Past outbreaks, like the one in Siliguri in 2001, remained geographically contained.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Early detection of Nipah is notoriously difficult. The initial symptoms mimic common flu, including fever, malaise, cough, and a sore throat.
"The initial symptoms of Nipah are very similar to the common flu, hence it is very difficult to identify in the initial stage," stated Dr. Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri, chief microbiologist at Peerless Hospital.
The virus has an incubation period ranging from four days to three weeks. The infection can rapidly progress to severe neurological complications. These include drowsiness, disorientation, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and coma, often requiring intensive medical support and ventilation.
The Treatment Challenge
Doctors face a significant hurdle in treating Nipah, similar to the early days of Covid-19. There is no specific antiviral drug or definitive antidote proven effective against the virus.
"While the infection does not spread as widely and quickly as Covid-19, there is no known antiviral effective for Nipah infection, given its high mortality rate. We are keeping a close vigil on the development," said Dr. Deep Narayn Mukherjee, a consultant at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI.
Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and providing intensive supportive care. Some drugs are used to address symptoms, but they are not miracle cures. Even patients who recover face a high risk of residual neurological disorders.
Essential Precautions
Prevention remains paramount. While wearing masks offers some protection, as with Covid-19, Nipah requires additional safeguards due to its transmission via body fluids.
The virus can spread through saliva, blood, and urine. Therefore, individuals in close contact with infected patients must exercise extreme caution. Health experts emphasize the need for protective measures without inciting panic, focusing on awareness and strict hygiene protocols to contain any potential outbreak.
