Healthcare Providers Mandate for Medical Advisory Notice for Nipah Infection

BENGALURU:
Even as Kerala government has issued an advisory stating Nipah virus infection reported from Kozhikode remains high localised, yet people will need to restrict travel to the infected villages. But healthcare providers from Karnataka see the need for the state government to be proactive in announcing a medical advisory. The apprehension is palpable going by the H1N1 fever spread and related fatalities in 2015.
As per the latest reports, Kerala is now contemplating to take the assistance of the World Health Organisation to control the Nipah virus infection which has led to 11 fatalities. There are at least 19 cases indicating similar symptoms under treatment and 22 have been placed under quarantine.
Stating that Nipah virus infection is a newly emerging zoonotic disease causing severe illness and high fatality in animals and humans, Dr. Vidya Jagadeesan, Consultant Infectious Diseases, Columbia Asia Hospital, Whitefield was concerned about the fact that there is no effective antiviral therapy for this infection. Its symptoms initially are non-specific and asymptomatic in some people. The disease can rapidly progress to coma within 24 to 48 hours in case of encephalitis. Long term sequelae like persistent convulsions and personality changes can also occur.
There is a need to implement precautionary measures by the government. This is particularly when healthcare workers are seen to be easily affected by the spread of the infection, noted Dr. Ambanna Gowda, Internal Medicine Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru.
In a similar note was Dr. Vasanth Nagvekar, infectious diseases specialist, Global Hospitals, Mumbai who said that government needs to issue an advisory to protect the public. Although the infection is currently localised and going by India’s north east region being affected by Nipah in 2001, the government is still contemplating on issuing an advisory, going by the last experience where the infection could be contained.
Infectious diseases are community acquired and there are no new drugs even in the US to treat these conditions. Now these are transmitted not though air but only human /animal contact. Therefore it is crucial to avoid travelling to places and restrict accessing areas like caves and tree bound zones where bats reside to prevent the disease, said Dr. Nagvekar.
The treatment is isolation of patient, intensive care and protective gear like gowns, face masks for the healthcare workers. The only way to prevent the dreaded infection is to avoid travel to endemic areas, ensure good hygienic practices like washing hands before eating and regularly after visit to public places and hospital is recommended. Human to human transmission has also been known to occur, mostly in family and caregiver of the infected patients, added Dr. Jagadeesan .
There is a need to maintain adequate hydration and immediate access to medical care if symptoms manifest, said Dr. Gowda.
Since prevention is better than cure, healthcare providers see the need for all neighbouring states to issue travel advisory for Nipah protection. Other than instructions to the general public being avoiding contact with pigs and pig handlers. “it is of utmost importance for the public to maintain personal hygiene ensure intensive hand washing practices, maintain adequate hydration and immediately access medical care if symptoms manifest, said Dr. Gowda.