Nipah virus: Doctor explains the signs and symptoms Health officials have issued an urgent warning after a 14-year-old boy died of a deadly virus known to cause fatal brain swelling and other serious symptoms in humans. The boy, from Kerala in India, died after contracting nipah virus. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nipah virus infection is transmitted from animals like pigs and fruit bats to humans.
However, it can also be transmitted through contaminated food and through contact with an infected person. The virus has been listed as a priority pathogen by the WHO because of its potential to trigger an epidemic. Indian media outlets reported that the 14-year-old died on Sunday, a day after he was confirmed to have the virus.
READ MORE This red flag sign on your fingernail could be cancer symptom A headache can be a symptom of nipah virus, an illness that can lead to brain swelling (Image: Getty Images) Since the virus was first reported in Kerala in 2018 it has been linked to dozens of deaths. And health officials say an additional 60 people in the area have been identified as being in the high-risk category of having the disease. In response, people in the region have now been asked to wear masks in public areas and avoid visiting people in hospitals.
Fatality rates from infection can be as high as 75 percent, depending on local health services and outbreak control. Don't miss..
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