A study conducted by scientists at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune has revealed that the Nipah virus has been found in two species of bats in the state. This is the first time that the Nipah virus has been detected in Maharashtra.
According to reports, the Nipah virus-carrying bats have been found in a cave in Mahabaleshwar. Scientists had conducted research by taking samples of different species of bats.
Meanwhile, the Nipah virus has not been found in any species of bats in Maharashtra before, said Dr Pragya Yadav, who is leading the study.
Nipah virus is on the watchlist of the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s top 10 pathogens list. If the virus reaches humans, it is likely to cause a large number of deaths.
According to a recent study conducted by NIC, India has seen four outbreaks of the Nipah virus so far. The virus was first detected in India in 2001 in Siliguri, West Bengal. While the second incident was reported from Bengal's Nadia in 2007.
Also Read: Health Department alerts Mumbai and Pune regarding Nipah virus
The third outbreak was reported in 2018 in Kerala's Kozhikode when 18 people died of the infection. Another wave of the Nipah virus was seen in Kerala in 2019. Nipah patients were also found in Assam.
There is no drug or vaccine for the Nipah virus and it is considered the most dangerous.
The viral infection does not have treatment currently and it is limited to supportive care, including rest, hydration and treatment of symptoms, as per the CDC.
It also has a high mortality rate. In many states, the corona mortality rate is one to two per cent. The mortality rate in the Nipah virus is 65 to 100 per cent.
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