Another patient with flu-like symptoms admitted to ID Hospital

Kolkata: Rajesh Mondal, another contractual labourer from Domkal in Murshidabad, who went to Kerala for work a few days ago, was admitted to Beliaghata ID Hospital with fever on Tuesday.

He has been kept in the isolation ward of the hospital with flu like symptoms.

Mondal is the third patient to get admitted to Beliaghata ID Hospital with similar symptoms, when affected by Nipah Virus.

Asif Mondal, another resident from Murshidabad was admitted to the hospital on Monday. Asif had been suffering from fever for the past 20 days.

The repeated incidents of patients getting admitted to Beliaghata ID Hospital with flu like symptoms had spread the Nipah virus scare as all the three victims had visited Kerala at some point of time.

The state Health department has, however, confirmed that first victim, Safiqul Haq was not suffering from Nipah.

In case of the other two, the hospital authorities and health department are yet to confirm the cause of their fever.

A senior official at the Health department has urged people not to spread panic as it could complicate the situation.

He said there is nothing to worry about because no such cases have been traced in the state yet.

The health department has already issued alert to all the hospitals across the state asking them to report if any suspected case is found.

The city doctors have, however, said that fruit bats are among the carriers of the virus that is named after Kampung Sungai Nipah, a Malaysian village that first witnessed an outbreak in 1998.

In case of a Nipah virus attack, the mortality is rate is much higher than other diseases.

The tests are done only at National Institute of Virology. The city doctors have advised against consuming half-eaten fruits.

According to doctors, the infected humans can develop encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.

The symptoms, typically starts about 5 to 14 days after the infection, including high fever, headache, drowsiness and disorientation that can advance to coma and death. Some patients also have respiratory distress.

The doctors advised people to avoid fruits that are pricked birds or animals, wash hands if anybody comes in contact with animals.

People are also advised to wear masks and gloves and take adequate care to stop coming in contact with body fluids if one is caring for patients. Using N95 mask is also advisable if someone is travelling or working in infected public places.