Malappuram on High Alert: Nipah and M Pox Cases Confirmed

Malappuram: The district is under strict restrictions following the confirmation of Nipah and M Pox cases. Currently, 267 people are on the Nipah contact list, and 23 people are on the M-Pox contact list. Fortunately, all 37 samples tested so far have come back negative.

Minister Veena George announced in a high-level meeting that seven people are showing symptoms of Nipah, and their samples have been collected. Those in the high-risk category have been given preventive medicine. Bat samples will be collected and tested, as the Nipah patient had eaten fruits from their home garden, which is presumed to be the source.

The minister also stated that the smallpox patient’s condition is satisfactory, and tests are being conducted to determine the variant of the virus. The test results will help establish whether the patient has contracted the 2B variant, which has a lower spread capacity, or the 1B variant, which has a high spread capacity and is commonly found in Africa.

What is Empox?

Smallpox, also known as Empox, is a zoonotic disease that was originally transmitted from animals to humans. However, it has now become a direct human-to-human disease. Although less severe, the symptoms of smallpox resemble those of smallpox, an orthopoxvirus infection declared eradicated worldwide in 1980.

Transmission Mode

Smallpox M is not an airborne disease like COVID-19 or H1N1 influenza. The risk of infection is high through face-to-face contact with an infected person, direct skin-to-skin contact, sexual intercourse, contact with bedding and clothing, and failure to follow safety rules.

Symptoms

Initial symptoms include fever, severe headache, swelling of the eyelids, back pain, muscle pain, and lack of energy. Blisters and red spots begin to appear on the body within a week of the onset of fever. Most of the blisters are found on the face and hands, as well as on the palms of the hands, genitals, and eyes.