Nipah Virus Survey Begins In Maharashtra, No Case Reported Yet

Pune, 6th September 2021: A survey on Nipah virus infection is underway in Maharashtra state. No cases of the disease have been reported in the state so far, according to the state’s public health department.

At present, a Coronavirus disease (COVID19) outbreak has engulfed the country. Also, a patient was found infected with the Zika virus in the Pune district. Along with these viruses, a child died of the Nipah virus in Kerala. Against this backdrop, a survey of the Nipah virus is underway in the state, the public health department said.

Research on the discovery of the Nipah virus in Maharashtra has come from the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV). This conclusion came from a study of bats at Mahabaleshwar. The study has been published in the Journal of Infection and Public Health. Blood samples were taken from bats in Mahabaleshwar. Of these, 33 bats were found to produce antibodies against the Nipah virus. It was also revealed that a bat was infected with the Nipah virus.

Dr Pradip Awate, who is the State Surveillance Officer for Maharashtra, and also in charge of monitoring epidemic-prone diseases in the state said, “So far no patient has been found infected with Nipah virus in Maharashtra. A survey is underway. There had been an outbreak of Nipah in Kerala before. Even then, no patient was found in the state. However, surveys are going on.”

Symptoms of Nipah virus infection: 

1. Fever

2. Headaches

3. Sore throat

4. Difficulty in breathing