Nipah Virus In Kerala: 2 Dead, 9-Yr-Old Among 2 Others Infected In Kozhikode. Epicentres Identified

Nipah Virus Deaths: Two people in Kerala's Kozhikode district died after being infected by the Nipah virus while two out of four suspected have been found to be positive for the infection.

Nipah Virus Deaths: The Kerala government confirmed on Tuesday that two unnatural fatalities in Kozhikode district were caused by the Nipah virus infection amid concerns about the resurgence of the deadly pathogen. The southern state is on alert as two cases of Nipah virus have been confirmed among four individuals whose saliva was sent for testing at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the cases via a Facebook post.

He revealed that two individuals tested positive for Nipah, while the other two received negative results.

In response, he urged the public to remain calm and focus on precautionary measures.

"Everyone should strictly follow the instructions of the health department and the police and fully cooperate with the restrictions," said Chief Minister Vijayan, emphasising the importance of adherence to health guidelines.

State Health Minister Veena George, speaking to reporters in Kozhikode, elaborated on the situation. She disclosed that among the confirmed cases, a nine-year-old boy was among the infected. Out of five samples sent for testing, three yielded positive results. This includes the person who tragically succumbed to the virus on August 30, news agency PTI reported.

Initially, the first death was attributed to liver cirrhosis comorbidity, Minister George said as she informed that the deceased individual's nine-year-old son, who is currently in intensive care, and his 24-year-old brother-in-law, has also tested positive for Nipah.

Health authorities have identified two epicentres of the disease, which will be declared as containment zones by the district collector after following due procedure, she added, as per PTI.

It was found out that the individuals who succumbed to the virus were together at a private hospital for nearly an hour at a particular point in time and there were no other points of contact identified.

Central Team Of Experts Sent To Kerala: Union Health Minister Mandaviya

Earlier, Union Health Minister Mandaviya confirmed the Nipah virus as the cause of the two deaths, assuring the public that experts are en route to support the state's response. "A central team of experts has been sent to the state to take stock of the situation. It will also help the state government in the management of the infection," he stated, as quoted by PTI.

In response to the alarming situation, a central team of medical experts has been swiftly dispatched to Kerala to assess the gravity of the Nipah virus outbreak and collaborate with the state authorities in managing the infection.

The development unfolded with reports of two "unnatural deaths" occurring after episodes of fever in Kozhikode on Monday. The Kerala health department confirmed that relatives of one of the deceased individuals have also been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Earlier today, the Kerala government established a control room in Kozhikode and advised citizens to use masks as a precautionary measure.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George chaired a high-level meeting to assess the situation in Kozhikode. She emphasised that the entire healthcare apparatus in the district has been placed on high alert, PTI reported.

Notably, the Kozhikode had previously encountered Nipah virus outbreaks in 2018 and 2021.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Nipah virus infection is zoonotic, typically transmitted to humans from animals. However, it can also spread through contaminated food or human-to-human contact. The virus manifests in various forms, ranging from asymptomatic or subclinical infections to severe acute respiratory illness and, in some cases, fatal encephalitis.

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