Saturday, April 29, 2017

NIPAH & ZIKA viruses

  
Dr. T. Rama Prasad 
Director,  ‘PAY  WHAT  YOU  CAN’ Clinic,  Perundurai,  Erode Dt., TN, India
Former Medical Superintendent (Special), RTS & IRT Perundurai Medical College and Research Centre,  Perundurai
*Website: www.rama-scribbles.in  *Blog: https://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com  *Twitter: @DrRamaprasadt       *Facebook: T Rama Prasad  *E-mail: drtramaprasad@gmail.com     *WhatsApp: +91 98427 20393

NIPAH  virus

June 5, 2019

           Yes, it is confirmed today (June 5, 2019) that the deadly Nipah virus has resurfaced in Kerala, a year after the sudden killings by the virus in the same zone in Kerala.  News has hit the headlines once again after a lull of one year.

              As though to attend the first death anniversary of the 18 persons  (including Lini, a nurse attending to the victims)  it killed very fast one year ago,  the NIPAH virus seems to have made a come back to the same place of attack, near Kozhikode in Kerala State.  This time, it infected a 23-year-old engineering student leading to a massive alert of the health care professionals and administrative officials to prevent spread of the disease.    They don't want to take a chance this time  ...  the fatality rate last year was of 88.9 %.   As many as 311 persons who interacted with this student recently are under close observation.   Three students who attended to the student initially are suffering from fever and sore throat. The health department had gone into the alert mode making all possible arrangements to tackle an outbreak.  The Union Health Ministry has deputed a six-m ember team of experts from various institutions to provide expertise.  Some alarmist misinformation has already started pouring in on the online causing panic, especially to promote quack treatments ... while there is no need for panic, all should be alert and cautious taking hygiene precautions while around the risk areas.  The public may get information about this problem by dialling 1056 or 1077 of the control room in Kerala.  It is not clear as to why it is attacking Kerala at the same zone again.

September 6, 2021
        I wrote the above two years ago.  Read below the news published today.  It is curious that NIPAH has been attacking the same zone (KOZIKODE district in Kerala) again and again.






What is Nipah virus ?

It is a highly pathogenic Paramyxovirus that infects animals like bats and pigs and transmitted to humans.  4 to 21 days is the incubation period.  40 to 100 per cent of the infected persons may die.

Mode of transmission

By direct contact with infected persons, bats, pigs, etc.  Drinking infected raw date palm sap or fruits.  

Symptoms

Some may have only mild symptoms while some may have the features of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) -- severe head ache, high fever, vomiting and drowsiness that may progress on to convulsions and/or coma and death -- and/or influenza-like illness with symptoms of lung infection with fever, cough, sore throat, head ache and tiredness.
Fever, severe weakness,  altered mental status,  head ache,  breathing difficulty,  cough,  vomiting,  muscle cramps,  fits (due to brain damage -- encephalitis),  etc. are to be taken seriously to exclude Nipah infection.

Preventive measures

Avoid consuming fruits partially eaten by birds, bats, etc.  Avoid drinking toddy posibly infected by bats.  Avoid direct contact with the Nipah patients.  Quaratine the persons suspected to be infected by the virus.  Follow strictly the treatment protocols and also the rules laid down for disposing the dead bodies of Nipah patients.

Treatment

There is no specific drug to kill the virus,  but symptomatic and supportive therapy may be life- saving.

Now,  read below what I wrote on this problem last year.



May 22, 2018

          No, no, don't get panicked.

          Of course, news has been splashed today (May 22, 2018) across the media all over India of residents fleeing as fear of NIPAH virus gives way to panic in Perambra (Kerala State) ... four deaths were attributed to Nipah ... and many are under observation.  Lini, a nurse who attended to the patients  is believed to have died of this virus ... all within a few days.  The source of infection may be fruit bats or something else, but needlessly all chicken stalls and some fruit stalls in the neighbourhood have been closed down.  

          Don't get panicked ... after all this episode might be like many in the past,  as was the case with many other viruses ...  self-limited ...  and this is nothing when compared to TUBERCULOSIS (TB) which is killing 1,000 persons everyday in India !!!   The media don't make headlines about it, as it is an old non-sensational stuff !!!  This is not to say that you should throw away caution and preventive measures to the winds. Read further down to know about the story of some other viruses.  You may read also about DENGUE virus under the title "DENGUE, ZIKA and MOSQUITO" on this blog.

         Nipah virus was first detected (1997) in Kampung Baru Sungai Nipah village in Malaysia,  hence the name Nipah virus.  Because of our thoughtless tinkering with nature, we caused an ecological imbalance in the forests.  Hence, wild fruit bats and other fauna might have fled forests and invaded our habitat, transmitting the Nipah virus and other new germs.  For the same reason, we have to blame ourselves,  if elephants and wild cats come out of the forests and attack us.

                                                                               --  Dr. T. Rama Prasad,  May 22, 2018

NIPAH  as  on May 23, 2018

         -- 13 were infected with Nipah out of which 10 have died ... 8 patients are under observation.
         -- Teams from NCDC and AIIMS are actively discussing the strategy to contain the scourge.
         -- DMOs declared an alert and set up isolation wards in all districts of Kerala.
         -- 2,000 tablets of RIBAVIRIN which may be effective against the virus have been procured
         -- The State Cabinet has decided to give a job to the husband of the nurse, LINI,  and Rs.25 lakh to the family.
         -- Authorities have advised people in the zone to remain indoors for the next 14 days, as human to human transmission seems to be crucial at this point of time.
         -- We still do not know why and how this virus got in here.  The role of fruit bats and fruits is only a speculation, at this stage. Did the bats come on a tourist visa to Kerala ?

 As on May 28, 2018

         -- Death toll rises to 13 and 6 more cases are suspected.  Confirmed cases are 16.
         -- The Health Department has not yet figured out the source of the virus ... bats and animal samples tested negative for the virus.  It is the human to human infection that is to be prevented, and this prevention seems to have been excellently done by the health care authorities.  The authorities are worried about the enormous misinformation spread fast over  digital social media which lead to mob frenzy and decline in tourism arrivals in Kerala.  The authorities are countering it by disseminating authentic information through a series of trolls and video messages.  In fact, I played it down while everybody, including the authorities, were blowing sirens (see my note above dated May 22, 2018).   And, as I indicated, it could be a self-limiting outbreak.  

June 4, 2018

         -- A top-level meeting was conducted on June 3, 2018 in Kerala which was chaired by the Chief Minister.
         -- 17 out of the 18 treated died.   No new case had been reported during the past one week.  
         -- The outbreak had hit hard the State's predominantly consumer-driven economy.  Fruit and vegetable exports have come to a standstill.  Tourist arrivals have dwindled.  Domestic consumption of fruits, poultry and livestock have plummeted, despite this being the Ramzan festival season.  Even 'toddy' sales came down due to fear of infection.  2,000 'contact persons'  are under close observation and they are being given free provisions by the government.
         -- It is still not known how the virus reached Kerala and caused the havoc.






This infographic tells you all about this Nipah Virus.  Click Here For Detailed Article Did you find this Infographic Helpful? 

Read more at: 
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ZIKA  virus

Dr. T. Rama Prasad      

                                                                                                              
July 11, 2017

         Zika has hit the headlines again today (July 11, 2017) with the news that Tamil Nadu (India) has reported its first case of Zika virus.  The patient, a 27-year-old man and a tailor,  from Krishnagiri district complained of fever, redness of eyes, tiredness, knee pain and head ache.  Three months ago, he travelled to Bengaluru and Andhra Pradesh.  This could just be the tip of an iceberg of various  infections transmitted by the little giant, MOSQUITO.  Nothing to get panicked. No need for knee- jerk reactions.   CONTAIN  THE  MOSQUITO  IF  YOU  CAN !!!  

Like many other diseases, Zika also might have been in India since a long time.  Only we didn't have the means to diagnose it. In those good old days of Madras Presidency, one from Tiruvallur was found to be having antibodies against Zika, in the 1950s.  He must have been exposed to the virus and developed antibodies to it.  A study done way back in 1952-53 showed that one-sixth of the blood samples tested in India contained antibodies to Zika.  Hence, it is not a new invader.  Many known or unknown viruses infect us now and then and we get over the disease without specific treatment.  Only in a minority of the cases, specific blood tests are done.  When a test reveals the presence of a rare and known virus,  the 'VIP' virus 'goes viral on the Net' !!!

Zika, Zika, where were you
All these decades ?
Searching, searching for you
Engaged were we in debates. 
Zika, Zika, why not you
Go back to African rain forests ?
                        --  T. Rama Prasad

We can't ask the MOSQUITO to go away, as it is mightier than an elephant !!!

See,  the elephant is scared of the mosquito !
May 28, 2017

                  News grabbed the headlines today (May 28, 2017) of the first three cases of ZIKA  VIRUS in India which were detected about five months ago.  Public health experts wondered why the information was kept as a secret for five months  --  national security involved !  Incredible India !  The usual preventive advisory against the little giant, MOSQUITO (which spreads zika, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, brain fever, filariasis, etc.)  splashed across the media once again.   Déjà vu !

            The following is what I wrote and published on January 30, 2016 – about one and a half years ago.   Read in between the lines to know what our science, commerce and deeds really are.

                                                                                           Reprinted from the FACEBOOK
FB id: T Rama Prasad                                                      January 30, 2016

ZIKA virus -- Jan 30, 2016
You might have just read about ZIKA virus and its possible link with microcephaly in newborn babies, as well as neurological problems in adults. And about the statement of the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) that the ZIKA virus "is now spreading explosively" in the Americas. And it may get the nod of the WHO to acquire the status of the evil of "Global Public Health Emergency" magnitude. Yes, very sweet news for the industry which made a fortune when the WHO declared "SWINE FLU" as a pandemic in 2009 (some alleged that it was a pro-industry declaration without validity -- http://www.thehindu.com/…/pandemics-in-t…/article6625928.ece ) . The trick is to create a panic across the world and make money by selling globally products which are made to be perceived as necessary. In fact, panic itself has become pandemic according to the medical scholars, Luc Bonneux and Wim Van Damme.
It may be interesting to know that the ZIKA virus was first isolated in 1947 from a monkey in ZIKA Forest of Uganda and that a mosquito population capable of transmitting the ZIKA virus has been found in the neighborhood of Capitol Hill of Washington.  While this virus usually spreads through mosquito bites, a person in Texas seems to have been infected through sex with a person who had returned from South America. And, curiously, none of the thousands of Zika- infected women in Columbia gave birth to babies with microcephaly which is strongly suspected to be associated with Zika infection in many other countries.  “The eye could be a reservoir for Zika virus;  may spread through tears,” said Michael S Diamond, a professor at Washington University School of Medicine (2016).
Perhaps, many viruses started their global journey from African rain forests, striking terror across the world. We have interfered too much with 'Nature', intruding into the forests and causing 'tropical biosphere devastation' leading to ecological imbalance which may be the cause for the emergence of new dangerous (Biosafety Level 4) microbes.
Some known new / dangerous microbes are: Marburg virus (MARV), Ravn (RAVV), Nipah virus, Japanesee Encephalitis, Naegleria (brain-eating amoeba, Cryptococcosis, Hanta viruses, Hendra virus, Helminths virus, MERS-CoV, NDM-1, A/H1 N1 flu, SARS, Ebola, etc. There must be a number of unknown microbes infecting / killing people around the globe. We just can't diagnose these cases, and often give them wrong diagnostic labels.  


CHINA  VIRUS
This is a 'novel' (new) virus identified in China in Wuhan City in December 2019 which belongs to 'Coronovirus' family in which the deadly 'SARS virus', 'MERS virus' and the 'common cold virus' as well are included.  It causes lung infections just as many other viruses.  As on January 19, 2020,  about 50 persons are known to be infected and two died due to this virus in China.  One case in Japan and one case in Thailand were reported - they travelled from China to those countries.  It is estimated that nearly 2,000 might have been infected by now (January 19, 2020).   Screening for suspects in some airports is initiated.  Some countries have given travel advisory about this infection.  

As of now,  we don't know much about this new CHINA  VIRUS.  Some of the patients gave the history of visiting 'seafood markets' and being in close contact with animals.  The symptoms are like that of most viral fevers - 'cold & flu-like' symptoms -  cough, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulty, body pain, etc.  'Chest X-rays' of some showed fluid in the lungs.  There are only general preventive tips: washing hands frequently, covering one's nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, avoiding contact with anybody having symptoms of cold or flu-like symptoms, thoroughly cooking non-vegetarian food, reducing direct unprotected contact with wild or farm animals.
Don't be scared, my dear friends. The new diseases make sensational headlines though they may not cause as much harm as the existing ones. The fashion is to talk about new diseases while ignoring the old diseases which cause more economic damage and kill more number of people. Tuberculosis (TB) is an example. In laid-back India, 1,000 persons are dying every day due to TB. And now, the most dangerous drug-resistant TB, the XDR-TB (resistant to almost all the available drugs) is emerging. God, save us !   I wrote 38 years ago (Apr. 28, 1977) in THE HINDU that "development of drug resistance, which is a result of inadequate and irregular treatment mostly, has far-reaching implications and if unchecked would make tuberculosis totally unmanageable by the present methods in course of time, whatever be the means."
Dr. T. Rama Prasad,   http://drtramaprasad.blogspot.in
drtramaprasad@gmail.com, 'PAY WHAT YOU CAN' Clinic, Perundurai, Erode Dt., TN, India., Former Medical Superintendent (Special), RTS & IRT Perundurai Medical College and Research Centre.

October 9, 2018
For more than a year there had been a lull in the ZIKA virus activity in India.  Today (09.10.2018), it is reported that 22 cases have been detected recently in Rajasthan.  In India, the first outbreak was reported in Gujarat in January 2017,  and the second one in Tamil Nadu in July 2017.  And the present one is the third.  
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DEADLY  VIRUS  kissed  INDIA  on 30.01.2020
(The first case was detected in Kerala in India on 30.01.2020)

WHO declared the virus outbreak as a GLOBAL  EMERGENCY on 31.01.2020
  
ALERT  !                      CHINA  virus (2019-nCoV-218)  as on  01.02.2020 -- 204 died, 9,692 cases, spread to 20 countries/regions.  38 died in one day (30.01.20) in ChinaForeign airlines began suspending flights to & fro China.  – see the video  https://youtu.be/-bJHvK4Zb5o  Unprecedented – 41 million people in13 cities locked down in China – restricted transport, New Year festivities scrapped.  Hospital beds full .. a new hospital of 1,000 beds is planned to be constructed within 10 days for the China virus patients !  Incredible … that’s China !    To know more about this and some other viruses, read my ‘Scribblings at: http://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2017/05/zika-virus.html     ,   http://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2017/10/dengue-virus.html     ,   http://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2018/11/swine-flu-h1-n1-influenza.html

The symptoms are like that of most viral fevers - 'cold & flu-like' symptoms -  cough, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulty, body pain, etc.  'Chest X-rays' of some showed fluid in the lungs.  'Lung failure' or 'Kidney failure' may occur leading to death.  And, there are only general preventive tips: Upgrading personal hygiene - washing hands frequently with soap and water after touching common objects, covering one's nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, wearing a mask, avoiding contact with anybody having symptoms of cold or flu-like symptoms, thoroughly cooking non-vegetarian food, reducing direct unprotected contact with wild or farm animals.  At present, there is no known specific treatment or vaccination But lives may be saved by giving supportive and symptomatic treatment.  Increasing awareness of the facts about this disease goes a long way to prevent morbidity and mortality.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                        --  Dr. T. Rama Prasad,  www.rama-scribbles.in




CHINA  virus
See the video:   https://youtu.be/-bJHvK4Zb5o  

January 19, 2020

This new virus is yet to be named ... let's call it 'CHINA VIRUS' for the present.  ‘CHINA  VIRUS’ has been catching headlines during this month (January 2020).  To know more about this and some other viruses, click on: http://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2017/05/zika-virus.html     ,   http://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2017/10/dengue-virus.html     ,   http://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2018/11/swine-flu-h1-n1-influenza.html 

This is a 'novel' (new) virus identified in China in Wuhan City in December 2019 which belongs to the 'Coronavirus' family in which the deadly 'SARS virus', 'MERS virus' and the 'common cold virus' as well are included.  It was identified by 'sequencing the genome', a speedy and laudable research finding by China.  China shared the whole genome sequence with WHO and GISAID.  

This virus causes respiratory and lung infections just as many other viruses.  As on January 19, 2020,  about 50 persons are known to be infected and two died due to this virus in China.  One case in Japan and one case in Thailand were reported - they travelled from China to those countries.  It is estimated that nearly 2,000 might have been infected by now (January 19, 2020).   Screening for suspects in some airports is initiated.  Some countries have given travel advisory about this infection.  

As of now,  we don't know much about this new CHINA  VIRUS.  Some of the patients gave the history of visiting 'seafood markets' and being in close contact with animals.  The symptoms are like that of most viral fevers - 'cold & flu-like' symptoms -  cough, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulty, body pain, etc.  'Chest X-rays' of some showed fluid in the lungs.  'Lung failure' or 'Kidney failure' may occur leading to death.  And, there are only general preventive tips: washing hands frequently with soap and water, covering one's nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, wearing a mask, avoiding contact with anybody having symptoms of cold or flu-like symptoms, thoroughly cooking non-vegetarian food, reducing direct unprotected contact with wild or farm animals.  At present, there is no known specific treatment or vaccination.

January 21, 2020

The CHINA VIRUS is fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions travel for the LUNAR NEW YEAR holiday which begins later this week in China,  as this virus is related to the deadly SARS virus which killed about 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2003 - 2003. One more person has died (third person).  Now, it looks like it may be transmitted from human to human.  Fourteen medical personnel helping the victims of this virus were also infected.  The total number of people diagnosed with this virus quickly rose to 218.  Wuhan city in China has 11 million inhabitants and serves as a major transport hub.  They are all at greater risk and may transmit the virus to other countries.  Some international airports in India are already screening the passengers with thermal scanners.  We have to wait and see how the scenario unfolds over the next few weeks.



January 24, 2020


The death toll has alarmingly increased to 18 in China.  95 patients are in critical codition.  Korea, US, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore & Vietnam also identified cases. The total number of cases reported has quickly increased to 634, raising concerns in the middle of a major holiday travel rush of hundreds of millions of people cris-crossing China to celebrate the Lunar New Year.  WHO is considering to declare the situation as a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern'.  This 'China virus' is coded as '2019-nCoV-218'.  Nations across the Asia-Pacific region stepped up checks of passengers at airports.  In an unprecedented move, China locked down five cities -- restricted transport, New Year festivities scrapped.

       Don't be scared, my dear friends.  New diseases make sensational headlines though they may not cause as much harm as the existing ones. The fashion is to talk about new diseases while ignoring the old diseases which cause more economic damage and kill more number of people. Tuberculosis (TB) is an example. In laid-back India, 1,000 persons are dying every day due to TB. And now, the most dangerous drug-resistant TB, the XDR-TB (resistant to almost all the available drugs) is emerging. God, save us !   I wrote 43 years ago (Apr. 28, 1977) in THE HINDU that "development of drug resistance, which is a result of inadequate and irregular treatment mostly, has far-reaching implications and if unchecked would make tuberculosis totally unmanageable by the present methods in course of time, whatever be the means."

To read more about this virus, Click on:
https://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov.html

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