Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
The Kerala state Health Department has issued an alert in three districts, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad, after lab tests confirmed two cases of Nipah. The cases tested positive are from Palakkad and Malappuram. The samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for further validation. According to the Hindu report, NIV has confirmed Nipah infection in a woman in Palakkad.
Confirmation in one case came after a sample drawn from a 17-year-old girl from Malappuram, who died on July 1, was tested on July 3 at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was held. She was initially admitted to a private hospital in Kozhikode with suspected encephalitis. The doctors and staff who performed the post-mortem examination are now in quarantine,media reports said.
The second case of Nipah was confirmed in a woman from Nattukal in Palakkad. The 38-year-old woman was under medical observation in Perinthalmanna. She was initially taken to three private hospitals in Palakkad due to fever and was later admitted to a private hospital in Perinthalmanna. Her initial Nipah test was conducted at Manjeri Medical College, and later the sample was sent to Pune Virology Institute.
The Health Department, following a high-level meeting, has decided to strengthen the preventive measures as per the protocol. A total of 26 committees have been formed in each of these three districts. The department has also sought the help of police assistance in preparing the contact list of the patients. A state helpline and district helplines will be made available.
The district collectors of Palakkad and Malappuram districts were assigned to declare containment zones, conduct contact tracing and make public announcements, according to a press note from the office of the health minister
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people. The Nipah virus has a high case fatality rate, ranging from 40% to 75% in humans.
The first Nipah outbreak in Kerala was in 2018, during which 17 deaths were reported and 18 cases were confirmed as Nipah.