Nipah virus was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia

It is mainly transmitted from animals to humans. Human-to-human transmission is also possible

Its initial symptom is high fever

People also have severe headache and body ache just like flu

Later, some patients experience respiratory problems, disorientation, dizziness and confusion

The mortality rate of Nipah virus is about 40 to 75 %

To contain the new outbreak of the dangerous Nipah virus, offices and schools have been closed in Kerala