Nipah virus is back in the news after a 23-year-old from Kerala was tested positive days ago. A year after Kerala routed the virus from the state after it claimed 17 lives, the viral outbreak seems to have returned. Read the detailed report here. Although the condition of the patient has stabilised, according to Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja’s latest update. Six of the eight who were under observation have been tested negative. But despite reassuring news, the panic has already set in among the general public. Frantic WhatsApp messages loaded with misinformation are being forwarded by the dozens, adding to the paranoia. Quacks have been taking advantage of the situation, promising dubious cures for Nipah virus symptoms and its prevention. To prevent rumourmongering and paranoia, it is important to separate Nipah myths from facts. Here are 5 rumours about Nipah virus you should stop believing in.

1. Only Fruit Bats Spread The Virus

While fruit bats are the hosts of the virus, they are not the only ones you should watch out for. Pigs get infected if they come into contact with fruit bats or eat bat-eaten fruits. Contact with pigs was the cause of the first Nipah virus outbreak in Malaysia. Other animals such as dogs, goats, cats and horses can also get infected and transmit the virus. What is Nipah Virus? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Preventive Measures of the Bat-Borne Illness.

2. Eating Chicken Will Cause Nipah Virus Infection

Last year, an SMS forward claimed that Nipah virus was found in chicken by the Manipal Institute of Virology. The message had an accompanying image of the “circular” with a forged sign of Kozhikode district medical officer Dr V Jaishree. It urged people to stop eating chicken. Nipah Virus Outbreak: Should We Worry Yet? Expert Clears Our Doubts About the Viral Outbreak in Kerala.

But the rumour was immediately put to rest by Manipal Centre for Virus Research who denied sending out such scaremongering message.

3. Homoeopathy Can Cure Nipah Virus

A WhatsApp message claimed that the homoeopathic medicine Gelsemium 200 can protect against the Nipah virus. It read:

“Gelsemium 200 Homeopathy medicine for Nipah Virus, Weekly 3 doses for 3 weeks. It can protect you from the virus. Please do share it with your friends and family...May you all be safe🙏”

Homeopath Dr Shreepad Khedekar says that Gelsemium 200 may work only if the patient shows symptoms of Nipah virus infection, but it won’t be effective as a preventive measure as the message claims.

Dr Kirti Sabnis, Infectious Disease Physician from Fortis, Mulund says: No randomised trials are available to support definitive medicines for Nipah Virus. Therefore, we cannot propagate these medicines as effective treatments. Till now, only Ribavirin has been tried on patients, with variable success rates.”

4. Wear a Mask to Avoid Nipah Virus

Wearing a mask around the nose and mouth can protect you from inhaling respiratory aerosols from an infected person. But that alone can’t help. Nipah virus infection is not essentially an airborne disease. The virus is transferred if a person comes in contact with the bodily fluids of a patient.

5. Nipah Virus Infection Always Causes Death

Currently, there’s no cure for Nipah virus infection. Doctors treat it by managing the symptoms. But Nipah isn’t always fatal although it has a high fatality rate of 74.5 percent, and it is possible to survive it. Dr Anup Warrier who has been treating the Kerala patient told Livemint that surviving Nipah is possible. The patient, although still not in the clear, has been showing signs of improvement.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 06, 2019 01:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).