DK: Karwar-based man isolated after he self-reported suspicion of being infected with Nipah virus

Team Udayavani, Sep 14, 2021, 9:44 AM IST

Mangaluru: In 2018, the southern Indian state of Kerala beat back the deadly Nipah virus. Local filmmakers and musicians even made a celebratory music video about it. Three years later, the state is faced with yet a new case of Nipah — its third outbreak since 2018 — and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

While figuring out how to prevent and treat Nipah infection is very much a work in progress, a Karwar-based microbiologist, who works in Goa, self-reported suspicion of being infected with the virus.

His sample was sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune on Monday, September 13. The result is awaited.

Meanwhile, he has been isolated till the time his results arrive informed District Health Officer.

Nipah virus is spread by the saliva of the fruit bats. It is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person, according to the World Health Organization.