Nipah virus cases in New Jersey. Nipah virus (NiV) is a paramyxovirus (Henipavirus genus, Paramyxovirinae subfamily, Paramyxoviridae family, order Mononegavirales), an emerging virus that can cause severe respiratory illness and deadly encephalitis in humans. As of this writing, there is no cases yet in New Jersey.
Encephalitis is a rare, serious, and sometimes life-threatening inflammation (swelling) of the brain tissue, typically caused by infections (viruses) or immune system malfunctions (autoimmune response) – NHS
However, US health officials enabled the strict tracking, monitoring, and study of the spreading of this virus.
Infection with Nipah virus can cause mild to severe disease, including encephalitis and potentially death.
People with Nipah are usually sick for 3-14 days with fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Later in the course of infection, the patient may get sicker and experience encephalitis. This condition may progress to coma within 24-48 hours. CDC
Nipah virus cases in New Jersey
Fever, and symptoms involving the brain (such as headache or confusion), and/or the lungs (such as difficulty breathing or cough are some of the symptoms of this virus. Fortunately, it is not yet detected in New Jersey.
However, you should not conclude that you are already infected as only healthcare professionals can say if you have this virus or not by tests. T-PCR (Real-Time PCR), ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), Virus Isolation, Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA), Sequencing, and others are the usual tests to detect a Nipah virus.
TIPS AND WARNINGS:
- There are no cases yet in New Jersey as of this writing.
- No vaccines yet for this kind of virus as it is still under development.
- Avoid contact with animals – especially fruit bats and pigs – and areas where bats live.
- Clean and peel fruit yourself before eating it.
- If you feel symptoms go to any urgent care nearby for tests and treatment.
- Don’t panic it is not yet pandemic!
- Nipah virus is not the same with Marburg virus although they both came from bats.
- Nipah virus most often spreads to people through: contact with infected animals (especially fruit bats and pigs) or their bodily fluids – including saliva, urine or faeces. eating fruit or fruit products (especially date palm juice or sap) contaminated with the bodily fluids of infected bats.