The deadly Nipah virus was first recognized in 1999 during an outbreak among farmers who reared pigs in Malaysia. It was also detected in Bangladesh in 2001. Consumption of fruits or fruit products, contaminated with urine or saliva of bats was most likely the reason for spread of Nipah virus.
Transmission [spread]
- It is transmitted through direct contact with infected person, infected bats or infected pigs or infected animal.
- It is also transmitted when people eat fruits that are already bitten, contaminated with urine or saliva by the bats or animal or bird carrying the virus.
- Virus spread is also considered to have occurred via respiratory droplets, contact with throat or nasal secretions from the pigs, or contact with the tissue of sick animals.
- NiV infected people – This is most commonly seen in the family and caregivers of Nipah virus-infected patients.
Preventive measures
- Close unprotected physical contact with Nipah virus-infected people should be avoided.
- Health-care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed infection, or handling specimens from them, should implement standard infection control precautions at all times
- Avoid consuming fruits that have fallen on the ground.
- Stay away from pig, bats, dog and horse for time being or handler of these animals.
- While carrying the dead body of anyone who dies of Nipah infection, it is important to cover your face and body properly.
- If you see any symptoms related to fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat, urgently contact nearest hospital and isolate that place with cleanness.
Lifestyle management
- Maintain personal hygiene and clean your hand by soap.
- Washing fruits thoroughly and peeling them before consumption.
- Do not eat partly animal consumed fruits, with signs of bat bites or bird eaten fruit
- Avoid Meat and Animal Products in the region of outbreak.
- Restrict yourself from heavy rush area or use mask to go outside.
- Clothes, utensils and items typically used by the infected person in the toilet or bathroom, like buckets and mugs, should be cleaned separately and maintained hygienically.
Homeopathic treatment
- Homeopathy is a system of individualisation, where treatment is based on symptoms manifestation of each patient
- Homeopathic medicine has very much potential to treat the viral attack as medicine works on the basis of symptoms similarity and remove problem from root.
- Homeopathy is well suited as it is restorative in nature, and addresses symptoms without side effects on the already weakened constitution of the patient.
- Homeopathy tries to strengthen the immune system by stimulating it so that it can drive the virus out.
- Homeopathy helps in preventing the infection by activating your immune system to face the virus.
Homeopathic medicines
- Aconitum Napellus
- Belladonna
- Arsenicum Album
- Apis Mellifica
- Phosphorus
- Gelsemium
Although, WHO has said that the drug Ribavirin has shown to be effective against Nipah, homeopathic medicines can also be used to treat this deadly virus. Other preventive methods such as using gloves and other protective clothing is a must during slaughter and culling of infected animals.
