New Cases of West Nile Virus discovered in Kerala: Click to Know More

The Kerala government has reported new cases of the West Nile Virus in several district. The State government has ordered the districts to be vigilant and suggested various preventions to not be affected by the virus.

West Nile Virus spreads through mosquito bites and most infected people do not even have the symptoms. The symptoms of this virus are fever, rash and muscle aches and other flu-like symptoms. But in extreme cases, this virus affects the nervous system and causes serious brain and spinal cord inflammation. The West Nile Virus is named after the West Nile District of Uganda, where this virus was first discovered in 1957.

The infected cases were found in the districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur. According to Kozhikode district collector Snehil Kumar Singh, 4 out the 5 cases, who were mostly children, that were reported in the district have recovered and one is currently receiving treatment in the government medical hospital.

The death rate for this virus is low as compared to the Japanese encephalitis which has similar symptoms but is far more dangerous. There is no medicine or vaccine available for this virus, but prevention when symptoms are spotted can help you recover.

The government has issued certain preventive measures against this virus. The virus is spread by the Culex species of mosquitoes, so steps for destroying their breeding needs to be taken. The people are also asked to be careful and visit the doctor in case any symptoms are spotted.