Following the detection of two suspected cases of the deadly Nipah virus in neighbouring West Bengal, the Jharkhand government has gone into full alert mode. State Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari on Tuesday directed all civil surgeons across Jharkhand’s districts to remain on high alert and ensure strict surveillance.
According to an official press release, the Health Minister has also issued necessary instructions to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, Ajay Kumar Singh, to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms across the state.
Dr Ansari stated that Nipah virus is an extremely dangerous zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans. The virus is primarily transmitted through fruit-eating bats (flying foxes).
Infection can also spread through direct contact with infected animals, especially pigs, consumption of contaminated meat, or exposure to bodily fluids such as saliva, blood, and other secretions of infected persons.
The Health Minister has instructed authorities to ensure strict monitoring, prompt reporting systems, and widespread public awareness campaigns in all districts.
These measures aim to educate people about the symptoms of Nipah virus, preventive steps, and necessary precautions to prevent any potential outbreak in the state.
He emphasized that the Jharkhand government is fully prepared to prevent the spread of this dangerous disease and has directed the Health Department to remain vigilant at all levels.
The press release further noted that the fatality rate of Nipah virus is very high, ranging from 40 per cent to as high as 75 per cent depending on the severity of the outbreak, making it one of the most serious and deadly viral infections.
Common symptoms of Nipah virus include high fever, headache, cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat, mental confusion, severe brain inflammation (encephalitis), and coma in advanced cases.
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