Nipah virus draws attention after death of 25-year-old

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A 25-year-old nurse in India has died after being infected with the Nipah virus. The case has raised concerns in many parts of the world.

The young woman worked at a private hospital in the state of West Bengal.

According to Indian health authorities, cited by Reuters, two nurses were infected.

The 25-year-old was in critical condition and received ventilator treatment before dying of cardiac arrest.

The other infected individual, a 27-year-old colleague, has recovered and been discharged from the hospital.

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Reuters also reports that a person in Bangladesh has died after being infected with the Nipah virus.

India has experienced nine outbreaks since 2001 and therefore has established preparedness plans in place when the disease emerges.

A dangerous virus

The Nipah virus is typically transmitted from bats to animals and then to humans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the virus as high risk. There is no vaccine and no specific treatment for the disease.

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According to the WHO, the mortality rate ranges between 40 and 75 percent. This means that many of those infected are at risk of dying.

The illness may begin with fever, headache, and muscle pain. In severe cases, it can develop into encephalitis or serious respiratory problems.

Additional screening at airports

Several countries have introduced additional screening measures at airports to prevent the spread of infection. Travelers from affected areas are being checked for symptoms such as fever.

However, a medical assessment cited by Reuters indicates that the virus has so far been limited to parts of Asia.

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There are no signs that the disease is spreading sustainably outside the region.

Sources: LADbible, Reuters, and WHO.

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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.

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