{"id":5783,"date":"2019-04-22T04:31:09","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T04:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5783"},"modified":"2020-05-15T04:58:19","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T04:58:19","slug":"14-alarming-facts-you-should-know-about-nipah-virus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-alarming-facts-you-should-know-about-nipah-virus\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Alarming Facts You Should Know About Nipah Virus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to deadly viruses, one that you should definitely be aware of is the Nipah virus. The Nipah virus is an extremely rare but still very scary virus. Although it is only shown itself in certain parts of the world so far, this virus has a high mortality rate and so far there hasn\u2019t been the treatment or a vaccine for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is viruses like these that have disease control agencies like the CDC on edge. In this article, we will be looking at eight alarming facts that you should know about this virus so that you can prevent any possibility of contracting it. These facts should help you avoid exposure to the virus as well as educate you on how serious it is. Of course, this is not the only virus out there that is scary, but it is one that you should be aware of even if you do not necessarily live in a part of the world where it is a concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Mortality Rate is Around 75%<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The scariest thing about this virus is the mortality rate. During previous outbreaks, the mortality rate for this virus has been around 75%. That means that three out of every four people the contract this virus will die. Their doctors working around the world to come up with a vaccine for this virus, and prevention is a big part of making sure that you and your family do not become infected, but the mortality rate is high enough that the odds are not in your favor if you should happen to contract it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mortality rate of 75% is one of the highest mortality rates among viruses out there, and that combined with the other things that make this a serious threat make this one of the scariest viruses on the planet. But the good news is that your chances are 100% if you are able to avoid infection using the information here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. It Can be Transmitted from Animals to People<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most illnesses are transmitted only from one person to another, this is one of the rare diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people. Luckily, there are only been a couple of different animals that have been shown to transmit the virus to people. The main animal the need to worry about is pigs. The scientific term for a virus that transmits from animal to person is called a zoonotic virus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scary thing is that this virus can infect a wide variety of animals it starts in bats and can be spread through many animals in many parts of the world. However, so far the infection has only been seen between pigs and humans. But that doesn\u2019t mean that other animals will not soon come into play so you want to take your interaction with all animals under serious consideration when avoiding this virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. It is an \u201cEmerging\u201d Virus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The fact that this is considered an emerging virus is also really scary. An emerging virus is one that is brand-new and that scientists do not have a grasp on yet. That means that they do not know exactly how it works. They are not completely clear on the incubation period, the method of transmission or perhaps dozens of other factors that have been discovered about other viruses in infections on the planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When viruses in emerging status, there is still a great deal to learn about it. The limited information that is available can definitely help someone avoid infection, but it is also entirely possible to get infected even if you know how to avoid it because it is so little known. Emerging viruses are one of the most deadly threats that we face as human beings until we have learned enough about them in order to be able to combat them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Someone with Nipah May Have no Symptoms <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Someone with this virus might have no symptoms whatsoever. In fact, someone with this virus could quickly have fatal encephalitis \u2013 which is inflammation of the brain \u2013 without ever even realizing that they are sick. The good news is that this is been in extremely rare cases so far. Another good thing to take from the information that is available is that this virus is extremely rare on its own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has not infected very many people as of yet. In fact, considering the number of people that might have been exposed, the chances of getting infected are actually pretty low. Most of the time, someone with this virus will have symptoms. But in some rare cases, the disease may progress to an extremely acute phase without showing any of the early warning signs or symptoms beforehand. It basically just depends on the luck of the draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. It is Easily & Widely Spread<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This virus can be easily and widely spread to all kinds of animals and plant life. That\u2019s because the disease carrier or natural host is a particular type of bat. These bats can spread the illness easily through pigs which results in major economic losses as well as potential infection in humans. But these bats can also pass on the virus through their urine or saliva on a number of fruit products that they tend to flock to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include dates and raw date palm juice as well as a number of other fruit products. The really scary thing about this virus is the fact that these bats can go anywhere and in fact, all kinds of things that humans eat or animals to humans interact with. It is not yet known exactly what the scope is of the bat\u2019s behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Outbreaks Have Occurred Through Swine & Other Animal Contact<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Those who interact with pigs on a regular basis are definitely at risk. In the past, human infections have resulted from direct contact with sick pigs. This included throw in nasal secretions or contaminated tissues. That means that you can both get sick from handling the pigs and taking care of them as well as from eating the pigs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, most of these pigs are taken out of circulation once it is realized that they have the virus, but there is still the potential for the infection to spread when pigs are slaughtered and placed on the open market. In addition, you need to be aware of the fact that while it can spread from animals to a human, that doesn\u2019t mean that it will not spread from humans to humans. In fact, those who interact with people who have the virus are at high risk of infecting themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. The Disease Could Progress to its Final Stage in as Little as 24 Hours<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although the virus usually takes some time to move through the system, it can progress to its final stage in as little as 24 hours. This is an extremely scary thing to realize, and definitely one of the alarming facts that you need to know. Most of the time, people develop flulike symptoms and have vomiting, sore throat, muscle pain, weakness, headaches and vomiting just to name a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are indicators that the disease is taking a normal amount of time to run through the system if those symptoms are caused by the virus. But sometimes, the disease runs through its course in as little as 24 hours and patients develop encephalitis, severe respiratory problems and seizures will progress to, within 24 to 48 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. The Disease is Usually Localized, but it could Happen Elsewhere<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are certain areas of the world where outbreaks of happening, but that doesn\u2019t mean that they cannot happen elsewhere. So far, outbreaks have occurred in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, and India. People who have been infected are believed either has had contact with animals, consumed raw date palm juice or had contact with other infected people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that does not mean that there may not be other reasons that may be at risk for this virus. These regions may include Cambodia, Madagascar, Indonesia, Ghana, Thailand, and the Philippines. The WHO warns people in those areas to be aware of this virus if they are living in or visiting those regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>