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What is Nipah Virus ?   Q : What is Nipah Virus ? A : Nipah virus was initially discovered when it caused an outbreak of brain fever among pig farmers in Malaysia. Q : Should I be worried ? A : A little. As it is transmitted from person to person and there is no effective antiviral therapy for this infection . Q : Who is at high risk ? How is it transmitted ?  (more…)

Nipah virus death toll rises in India   Nipah virus death toll rises in India   At least 10 people have died in the Nipah virus outbreak in the southern Indian state of Kerala, doctors say. Two others who have tested positive for the virus are critically ill. Some 40 people have been put into quarantine following the deaths. The virus is hard to diagnose. Symptoms of infection include fever, vomiting and headaches.   Nipah has a mortality rate of 70% and there is no vaccine. It can be transmitted to humans from animals. Nipah virus is also "top of the list" of 10 priority diseases that the World Health Organization has identified as a potential next major outbreak.   Authorities have ordered emergency measures to control the spread of the infection in Kozhikode, , previously known as Calicut, where the deaths have taken place. Some 60 blood and body fluid samples of suspected cases have been sent for confirmation to the Nati…