Dr. Jagdish Kathwate, a consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at Motherhood Hospital Pune, stressed the importance of parents and guardians staying informed about local outbreaks and adhering to public health guidelines to safeguard their children.
In Kerala, as a nine-year-old grapples with a severe Nipah virus infection, the state government has taken the step of procuring monoclonal antibodies from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) to treat the child. It’s noteworthy that this treatment, although the only available option for Nipah virus infection, hasn’t been clinically proven yet. The boy’s condition remains critical, necessitating ventilator support.
Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, stated, “We have ordered the monoclonal antibody through ICMR, and it will soon be available in Kozhikode. The imported medicine is already in possession of ICMR.”
The Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus with the potential to transmit from animals to humans or through contaminated food and direct human contact. Dr. Jagdish Kathwate, a consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at Motherhood Hospital in Pune, explained that fruit bats are the primary carriers of this virus. NiV can lead to severe conditions such as acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. Unlike airborne infections, NiV transmission occurs via bats and pigs, posing a deadly risk to both humans and animals.
The Kerala government has indicated that the current virus strain is the Bangladesh variant, which spreads from human to human. While it has a high mortality rate, it is less contagious, according to reports from PTI.
In light of the recent Nipah virus case, it’s crucial to explore preventive strategies, particularly concerning children.
Experts emphasize the need for vigilant care in cases of Nipah virus infection in children.
Dr. Kanchan S Channawar, a senior paediatrician and pediatric intensivist at Kamineni Hospitals in LB Nagar, Hyderabad, underscores the rarity of Nipah virus infection but its potential severity in children. She emphasizes the importance of immediate medical attention and strict adherence to preventive measures to control the virus’s spread and minimize its impact. Dr. Kanchan highlights the evolving nature of Nipah virus management and prevention, urging people to stay informed about the latest developments.
According to Dr. Nanditha Rathinam, a consultant in paediatrics and pediatric intensive care at Manipal Hospital in Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore, the Nipah virus primarily affects the lungs and brain. It can manifest with respiratory symptoms like cough, sore throat, rapid breathing, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, it may lead to encephalitis, resulting in disorientation, seizures, coma, or death. Since there’s no specific antiviral therapy, treatment is primarily supportive.
Dr. Kathwate emphasizes preventive measures, including avoiding contact with sick animals, maintaining good hand hygiene, and refraining from consuming raw date palm sap, which can be a potential carrier of the virus.
Dr. Kanchan offers preventive tips:
– Children should avoid close contact with individuals infected with Nipah virus, particularly those with respiratory symptoms or encephalitis.
– Encourage children to practice regular handwashing with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the restroom. When soap and water are unavailable, alcohol-based hand sanitisers can be used.
– In areas prone to Nipah virus, both children and adults should avoid consuming raw date palm sap, as it can be contaminated if bats have access to it.
– Children should refrain from eating fruits that appear to have been bitten or licked by bats, as they may carry the virus.
– Healthcare workers and caregivers should use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when tending to infected individuals to prevent transmission.
– Dr. Kanchan suggests considering vaccination in the future if it becomes available, particularly for those living in areas at risk of Nipah virus transmission.