A nurse who had recovered from Nipah virus infection died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital in West Bengal.
"She died of cardiac arrest this afternoon. Though she had recovered from Nipah infection, she was suffering from multiple complications," the official said to PTI.
As per PTI, the woman had been in a prolonged coma, which severely affected her immunity, and later developed a lung infection. She had been taken off ventilator support at the end of January.
What is Nipah?
Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals. It causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic infection to fatal encephalitis.
How does it spread?
It spreads through direct contact with infected animals.
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Close contact with the body fluids of an infected person.
How to avoid risk?
Caregivers and healthcare providers are at a higher risk. Therefore, take necessary steps to reduce the spread:
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
Avoid areas where bats roost
Avoid touching anything that could be soiled by bats
Check fruits before eating
Avoid contact with the blood or body fluids of someone with Nipah
Two confirmed cases of Nipah Virus disease have been reported from West Bengal since December, according to reports from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The other one, a male nurse, has been cured of the disease, reported PTI.
The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Nipah virus disease as a priority pathogen for its potential to trigger an epidemic. There is no vaccine to prevent infection and no treatment to cure it.
For more information, consult a health expert.
