Six Kerala Districts on Alert After Man Passes Away from Nipah Virus
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has reported a new case of the deadly Nipah virus, this time in Palakkad district, triggering heightened surveillance and containment measures across several districts.
A 58-year-old man from Kumaramputhur tested positive for the virus posthumously after he passed away at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram, on Saturday night.
The patient had been undergoing treatment for fever and related symptoms when his condition deteriorated. His samples, sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, returned positive results, marking this as the second confirmed Nipah case in the district.
Even before the official confirmation from NIV was received, health authorities in Palakkad and Malappuram initiated aggressive contact tracing and containment efforts. So far, 46 people who had contact with the deceased in the past three weeks have been identified and placed under observation.
Health Minister Veena George confirmed that authorities had already prepared a comprehensive contact list and route map of the deceased individual, pending release following formal confirmation from the NIV.
Surveillance footage was examined to trace the patient’s movements and interactions, and a detailed family tree has been constructed to monitor possible exposure. Field surveillance in and around Kumaramputhur has been intensified, with several health teams conducting door-to-door symptom checks and awareness campaigns on preventive measures.
"We are stepping up our response and strengthening our health teams to curb any potential spread," said Health Minister Veena George. She also urged the public to avoid unnecessary hospital visits, particularly in Palakkad and Malappuram districts, and instructed hospitals to limit the number of bystanders.
Face masks have been made mandatory for all patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers in affected areas.
A total of 543 individuals across Kerala are currently under medical observation. This includes 219 in Palakkad, 208 in Malappuram, 114 in Kozhikode, and two in Ernakulam. Additionally, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kannur, and Wayanad districts have been placed on high alert as a precaution.
This new case brings the total number of confirmed Nipah infections in Kerala within the past year to six. Earlier cases included a 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad in July 2024 and a 24-year-old man from Wandoor in September 2024, both of whom succumbed to the virus.
Health officials continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines. The Nipah virus, a zoonotic infection believed to be transmitted by fruit bats, can spread rapidly and is often fatal if not detected early.
(with inputs from IANS)
Rishika Verma is a graduate from Delhi University. She joined Medical Dialogues in 2023. Her interest lies in reporting health news, hospital updates, health updates, medical case studies, and advancements in healthcare, etc.