Kozhikode: Allaying fears of Nipah virus causing more deaths in its second wave, Dr G. Arunkumar, the head of Manipal Centre of Virus Research (MCVR), on Saturday said it was unlikely. "We are anticipating a couple of cases from Balussery and Mukkam. That would be known in a week as the incubation period ends," he said during a media interaction.
Dr Arunkumar, who was among the first to reach the spot in Perambra after the outbreak, said that a timely and effective intervention had helped rein in the virus. "All the 18 tested positive, of which 16 have died, got it from the index case, Sabith, who died on May 5," he said. They contracted the virus from the index case at two points, Perambra Taluk Hospital and Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (KMCH). Several bystanders of others got infected from the narrow corridor of the radiology section at KMCH where the index case underwent scanning on May 5.
"As the virus-infected Ismayil and Rasin were at Balussery Taluk hospital, a couple of cases may emerge from there. Also, the deceased Akhil had gone to EMS Hospital Mukkam and another private hospital before coming to KMCH.” "So a few cases may appear from there also. All have developed symptoms in 11/12 days except one, which went to 16 days." NiV will spread only from a patient in an aggravated stage. Respiratory problems, including a high cough, are the symptoms.
“The virus will be in large droplets transferred through coughing or sneezing. NiV cannot survive in small droplets. Patients with mild fever cannot transmit the virus," he said, dismissing fears triggered by the second wave. "The second wave will be much weaker. The most important thing is not to miss even a single case." On the NiV source, he said it's an uphill task to nail it. "Only four or five of a lakh of fruit bats will have NiV. That too in certain circumstances."
Asked from where does the index case afflicted with the disease, he said he had another hypothesis. "If the mammal-bitten mango caused the virus in Sabith, the same should have happened to many others in the locality,” he said. “Sabith is a pet lover. I suspect he came across a bat or a little one and petted it out of affection." The MCVR recommended mask and gloves for medics who attend to the ill and not the public.
