In the face of the ongoing Nipah virus threat, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, the Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has emphasised a series of precautionary measures aimed at containing the virus's spread. These measures, he says, bear resemblance to those employed against COVID-19 such as repeated handwashing and the use of masks. However, in the case of Nipah, the primary focus lies on limiting contact with infected individuals, as initial cases often transmit the virus to others. Furthermore, Dr. Bahl underscored the importance of avoiding exposure to bodily fluids and blood, highlighting the critical need for biosafety, hospital safety, and isolation.
The dire nature of the Nipah virus becomes evident when considering its mortality rate. Dr. Bahl notes a stark contrast between Nipah and COVID-19, with the former exhibiting a mortality rate ranging between 40% and 70%, far surpassing the relatively lower mortality rate of 2% to 3% seen in COVID-19 cases, news agency PTI reported.
India Is Procuring 20 Doses Of Monoclonal Antibody: ICMR DG
On the availability of monoclonal antibody doses, the ICMR chief revealed that currently, India possesses doses sufficient for only ten patients. He mentioned that none have yet been administered in treatment while informing that India is procuring an additional 20 doses of monoclonal antibody.
"We got some doses of monoclonal antibody from Australia in 2018. Currently, the doses are available for only 10 patients," he said, as quoted by PTI. "Twenty more doses are being procured. But the medicine needs to be given during the early stage of the infection," he added.
Despite the challenges posed by the Nipah outbreak, Dr. Bahl assures that efforts are underway to contain the virus's spread. He pointed out that all those infected thus far have had direct contact with an index patient.
However, the question of why Nipah cases continue to emerge in Kerala remains unanswered. Dr. Bahl acknowledged the mysterious nature of these occurrences, citing a previous outbreak in 2018 linked to bats, though the precise transmission mechanism from bats to humans remains unclear.
"We do not know. In 2018, we found the outbreak in Kerala was related to bats. We are not sure how the infection passed from Bats to humans. The link couldn't be established. Again we are trying to find out this time. It always happens in the rainy season," he remarked, as per PTI.
Regarding monoclonal antibody treatment, Dr. Bahl noted that it has been administered to 14 Nipah-infected patients outside India, all of whom have successfully recovered. It's important to note that while phase 1 trials to establish the medicine's safety have been conducted, efficacy trials are yet to be completed.
"Efficacy trials have not been done. It can only given as compassionate use medicine," he said.
Monoclonal antibodies are primarily given as compassionate use medicine, with the decision to employ them resting with the Kerala government, doctors, and patients' families.
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