Mysterious viruses Many dead by the dangerous Nipha virus

Several deaths from illness against which there is no vaccination and treatment

In India, several people have died following an infection with the dangerous Nipha virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this pathogen is among those "urgently in need of accelerated research, given their potential to cause a public health emergency and the lack of effective medicines and / or vaccines".

Nipha virus claims several deaths

In southern India, several people have died from infections with the dangerous Nipah virus. According to state health officials in Kerala, the deadly pathogen was detected in three deceased. The results of another six victims are pending. So far, 25 people with symptoms have been admitted to a hospital in the city of Kozhikode, reports the BBC..

In southern India, several people died after infection with the Nipha virus. There is no vaccine against the pathogen. The disease can not be treated causally. (Image: Dan Race / fotolia.com)

Prevent the spread of the disease

Kerala Health Minister Rajeev Sadanandan told the BBC that a nurse who had treated the patients also died.

"We sent blood and body fluid samples of suspected cases to the National Virology Institute in Pune for approval. So far, it has been confirmed that there were three deaths due to Nipah, "said the minister.

"We are now focusing on precautions to prevent the spread of the disease as treatment is limited to supportive care."

Risk to public health

The Nipha virus is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its list of diseases and pathogens that "pose a risk to public health and for which there are no or inadequate countermeasures".

This list has recently caused a worldwide sensation as WHO also added an unknown disease X that could threaten a global health emergency.

The Nipha virus, first detected in Malaysia in 1998, has no vaccine or causal treatment.

Only the symptoms can be alleviated medically. The mortality rate is according to "BBC" at 70 percent.

Permanent disease consequences

According to health experts, after a period of less than two weeks of incubation, the disease is marked by a high fever and flu-like symptoms such as headache and dizziness.

In the further course it can come among other things to respiratory illnesses and killer meningitis.

It is also known that patients can experience long-term consequences such as personality changes and epilepsy. (Ad)