What we’re reading: virus outbreak in India, captured murderer’s U.S. escape plan, and more

By Caroline Denning, Staff Writer

Published Sep 15, 2023

Indians standing in a queue outside a hospital wear masks as a precautionary measure against the Nipah virus at the Government Medical College hospital in Kozhikode, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Monday, May 21, 2018. The deadly virus has killed at least three people in southern India, officials said Monday, with medical teams dispatched to the area amid reports that up to six other people could have died from the disease and others are ill. (AP Photo)

India faces fourth outbreak of Nipah virus since 2018

Authorities in the state of Kerala are trying to contain the outbreak of Nipah virus after two people are dead, according to CNN. The virus is transmitted from animals to humans. It often starts with a headache and can lead to a coma within a few days. Treatment is limited and there is no vaccine. This is the fourth outbreak in Kerala since 2018. Some schools have been closed to prevent the spread of the virus. “We should not be afraid, but face this situation with caution,” Kerala’s chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote on social media.

Pennsylvania escapee planned to flee to Canada, police say

Escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante told police he planned to steal a car and drive to

Law enforcement officers escort Danelo Cavalcante Wednesday from a Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Avondale Pa. He was captured Wednesday after eluding searchers for two weeks. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (AP)

the U.S-Canada border, according to ABC News. “He stated he had intended to carjack somebody in the next 24 hours and that he was going to head north to Canada,” Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark said. Investigators said they think that Cavalcante would have traveled back to his native country of Brazil.

NFL Players’ Association pushes for all-grass fields

After the season-ending injury of New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the players’ association is pushing for the league to switch to grass fields, according to Forbes. It is thought that natural grass is the safer option for athletes.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is sacked during an NFL football game Monday. (AP Photo/Adam.

If implemented, the change would be seismic: 50% of NFL teams have turf in their home stadium. Rodgers was hurt in his first game against as the quarterback for the New York Jets. An MRI determined that his Achilles’ tendon was torn and that Rodgers would be out for the rest of the season.

Parents allege abuse of autistic child at school

Parents of a three-year-old child who has non-verbal autism are questioning when a school employee struck the child in the head and chased him until he fell, according to ABC News. The encounter at a Dayton, Ohio public school was captured on video. The video shows the child running down the hallway with the employee running after him. The employee then hits him in the head, causing him to fall to the ground. Then, the employee picks up the child by his feet and carries him out of frame of the camera. “We want answers. We’re demanding answers and we want them immediately,” said the lawyer for the family, Michael Wright. Interim superintendent David Lawrence said the school is working hard to ensure all of the staff is properly trained.