In a new and worrying episode, a young woman from 18 years He has died after confirming his infection by the NIFOH virus in the state of KERALAto southwest India, which has activated international alarms. The initial tests carried out in Korea indicated NIFOH, and the infection was then confirmed by the National Institute of Virology In Pune.
The case corresponds to a resident of Malappuramwhich developed acute encephalitis, cerebral inflammation accompanied by fever and neurological symptoms, and who died at the beginning of July after being admitted to a hospital in Kozhikode.
Next to this tragic case, Another patient, a 38 -year -old woman In the neighboring district of Palakkadremains in critical condition. So far, they have identified More than 400 people who were in contact with both of them, under a Intense surveillance: between 25 and 27 people have been cataloged as High risk and placed in isolation, while some 18 receive treatmentwith at least one in intensive care.
A virus with high mortality and without cure
The World Health Organization (WHO) He has reiterated his strict monitoring to the NIFOH virus, considered high risk by its zoonotic nature, transmission from frugivorous bats or pigs, and its high lethalitywhich can reach between the 40 % and 75 %. Although the transmission between humans It is limited, the serious symptoms (encephalitis, pneumonia) and absence of vaccine or approved treatment They force to maintain strict control measures.
Kerala health authorities have reinforced surveillance with Door by door monitoring In thousands of homes, 21 -day quarantine For high -risk contacts and mandatory use of mask in affected areas. He Ministry of Health of India also studies the sending of a National Response Team in front of outbreaks To support containment.
Kerala is no stranger to the NIFOH virus: he has registered outbreaks since 2018including episodes in 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024with multiple deceased and hundreds of tracked contacts. In 2023, six people were infected in Kozhikode, with two deaths and more than 1,200 contacts tracked in a few weeks.
For this reason, the WHO has included NIFAH among priority viruses for its epidemic potential. They are already promoted Research for vaccines and treatmentswith initiatives such as the Oxford University in preliminary tests of test.
