CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A top executive of one of the biggest universities in this city has issued a memorandum yesterday to address the deadly scare of the latest virus which originated in India.
Dr Alain Pelaez Golez, the University president of Liceo de Cagayan University issued Memorandum Order No.6, stating that in order to avoid the new Nipah virus scare, all basic education classes in Liceo de Cagayan University (from Kindergarten to Grade 12) will be back to online classes starting tomorrow, September 27, until further notice. MDN was furnished a copy of said memo yesterday.
His order also directed basic education faculty members to conduct their online classes in the main campus, following the health and safety protocols when entering the school premises.
Golez memorandum came as the new virus scare, which reportedly originated in India, has been reported to be another dangerous virus which had already claimed lives in said country.
What scientists discover about Nipah virus?
India is now taking concrete measures to contain the spread of what could be another deadly virus which easily spreads from bats to humans.
The bat-borne Nipah virus has infected six people in the southern Indian state of Kerala
Out of six victims – two of them had already died, according to news sources direct from Kerala.
Since the virus started wreaking havoc in India in August 2023, the government has already recorded 700 people, including health-care workers, have been infected by the deadly virus. Reports also added that State authorities have already closed public transports, offices and some schools.
It was also learned that the Nipah virus outbreak has already hit Kerala for the fourth time in five years. The last attack of the virus was in 2021. Although said outbreak has only affected a small geographical area, according to the report.
Scientists who made scientific studies said that the Nipah virus can be deadly when it spreads to a big number of people as it becomes more contagious.
Rajib Ausraful Islam, a veterinary physician specializing in bat-borne pathogens at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, in Dhaka, said that Nipah virus fatality rate was recorded between 40 percent and 75 percent depending on the strain.
“Each outbreak is a concern,” he says. “Every outbreak is giving the pathogen an opportunity to modify itself.”
It was also learned that the said virus can cause vomiting, fever, inflammation in the brain and respiratory issues. The virus, the report said, is carried mainly by fruit bats but it can also infect domestic animals and humans. The virus spreads through bodily fluids from infected animals and humans. Scientists, however, are still doing more research and investigation into this recent virus scare in the country. ###
