Is Traveling To Wayanad Virus-Free?

The Nipah virus, a highly infectious brain-damaging infection, has broken out in Kerala, India. An advisory issued by Rajeev Sadanandan, Additional Chief Secretary (Health), stated that travelling to any part of Kerala was safe, but travelers should be extra cautious. The virus can cause severe symptoms, including acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis. To reduce or prevent infection, travellers should avoid contact with infected humans, animals, and wear protective gear.

The health department has called for a vigil after the ICMR confirmed the presence of the Nipah virus in bat samples in Wayanad. The government issued a fresh set of restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. The Nipah virus is not widespread in Kerala, but it is limited to a narrow region and has affected a few people who were in contact with each other. The Nipah virus attack in Kerala is projected as a major epidemic that is dangerous to visitors. Important tourism originating states for Kerala are Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Kannur.

Kozhikode is on high alert following confirmation of the Nipah virus in two deaths. Mask-wearing is mandatory, and local bodies are monitoring the situation. The Health Minister urges Kannur, Wayanad, and Malappuram districts to remain alert. According to WHO and ICMR findings, there is every possibility that Nipah may rise in any part of Kerala.

Which virus is spreading now in Kerala?

India is on high alert after a new outbreak of the Nipah virus (NiV) has left a 14-year-old boy dead in Kerala. The virus, which can spread from bats and pigs to humans, has previously been detected in countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Close contacts tested for the disease have come back negative, but health officials are taking no chances and many more contacts face monitoring. The virus has surfaced in Kerala several times in recent years, with a 2018 outbreak resulting in 21 deaths.

How many died due to Nipah in Kerala?

Between 12 and 15 September 2023, the State Government of Kerala reported six laboratory-confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection, including two deaths, in the Kozhikode district. The first case, a male aged 9 to 45, had pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and died shortly after admission. The other five cases were close contacts of the first case, including two family members and those at the hospital where the first case was treated.

The second death occurred in an individual who accompanied another patient to the hospital where the first case was being treated. As of 27 September 2023, 1288 contacts of the confirmed cases have been traced, and all identified contacts are under quarantine for 21 days. As of 27 September 2023, the four cases remain clinically stable.

How do I protect myself from Nipah?

Nipah virus, a disease caused by fruit bats, is a serious health concern. It spreads between animals and humans and is carried by these bats. In 1999, an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore resulted in over 100 deaths, with 300 people getting sick and over 100 dying. The virus was initially spread by bats to pigs, and people working with infected pigs also became sick. Currently, Nipah outbreaks are reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore, but the fruit bats carrying the virus are found throughout Asia, the South Pacific, and Australia.

Do people recover from Nipah virus?

The Nipah virus has a fatality rate of 40-75, with survivors often making a full recovery. Prevention measures include mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent sanitizer use. Caution is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus. However, there are no vaccines or effective treatments for the virus, and researchers are developing monoclonal antibodies to combat it. Currently, no licensed treatments are available, and the virus is not a vaccine for humans or animals.

Is it safe to travel to India with Nipah?

Travellers should be aware of the low risk associated with living or working in basic conditions in Bangladesh, India, or South East Asia, as well as being involved in intensive pig farming in these regions.

Is Wayanad safe now?

The tourism sector in Wayanad has been severely impacted by the devastating landslides that destroyed Mundakkai and Chooralmala, affecting the livelihoods of hundreds of people working in the sector. Despite the district administration stating that Wayanad is safe, the image of the area has changed, making it a symbol of death and destruction. National highways and border checkposts have deserted, and tourist inflow has dried up. Hotels and homestays have closed, and autorickshaw drivers’ income has also dropped.

District authorities have opened six major tourism spots, including Pookode Lake and the Karappuzha dam, hoping for a better future. Three wards in the Meppadi panchayat have been hit by the landslides, and tourism centers were temporarily closed as precautionary measures. Currently, Wayanad is safe, with some safe places for tourists to visit, including Pookode Lake, Karlad Lake Heritage Museum, Ambalavayal Town Square, Bathery, and Pazhassi Memorial.

How safe is Kerala for tourists?

Kerala, a state in India, is considered one of the safest for tourists, particularly due to its approachable and friendly people. The state’s strong law enforcement and strong upbringing, literacy rates, and less broken families contribute to its friendly attitude towards foreign travelers. A YouTube video by Allison Anderson, who travelled alone in Kerala in 2023, highlights the importance of education in building a better future for all. Despite the challenges faced by families, the number of broken families is reduced, and the family instills strong values towards upbringing better citizens.

These factors, combined with a strong law enforcement mechanism, make Kerala a safe haven for solo female travelers. The state’s focus on education and strong family values contribute to its reputation as a safe destination for tourists.

Does Wayanad have the Nipah virus?

A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found Nipah virus antibodies in bats from Kozhikode and Wayanad. However, the reasons behind the virus’ localized impact and transmission in humans remain unclear. Fruit bats, known as carriers, are widespread and experts suggest multiple factors contribute to outbreaks in the Kozhikode-Malappuram region. The virus was first reported in Malaysia in 1998, and in Bangladesh and Bengal, bat excreta led to outbreaks.

Dr. Althaf A, a public health expert and professor at Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, noted that the commonality among victims (index cases) is that they are males aged 12 to 25, who are active and adventurous. Establishing the epidemiological link requires sustained efforts. An animal pathologist who studied bats in Kozhikode in 2018 suggested that the virus-carrying bats may not be limited to Kozhikode and Malappuram.

Is Kerala safe from Nipah virus?

The statement stated that despite previous Nipah outbreaks in Kerala, the most recent one occurring in 2023 in Kozhikode district, no cases have been reported in Karnataka to date.

How many people died from Nipah in Kerala?

Between 12 and 15 September 2023, the State Government of Kerala reported six laboratory-confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection, including two deaths, in the Kozhikode district. The first case, a male aged 9 to 45, had pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and died shortly after admission. The other five cases were close contacts of the first case, including two family members and those at the hospital where the first case was treated.

The second death occurred in an individual who accompanied another patient to the hospital where the first case was being treated. As of 27 September 2023, 1288 contacts of the confirmed cases have been traced, and all identified contacts are under quarantine for 21 days. As of 27 September 2023, the four cases remain clinically stable.

How many died in Kerala due to the Nipah virus?

Between 12 and 15 September 2023, the State Government of Kerala reported six laboratory-confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection, including two deaths, in the Kozhikode district. The first case, a male aged 9 to 45, had pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and died shortly after admission. The other five cases were close contacts of the first case, including two family members and those at the hospital where the first case was treated.

The second death occurred in an individual who accompanied another patient to the hospital where the first case was being treated. As of 27 September 2023, 1288 contacts of the confirmed cases have been traced, and all identified contacts are under quarantine for 21 days. As of 27 September 2023, the four cases remain clinically stable.