Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh Nipah virus case reported in Kerala’s Palakkad district has raised fresh concerns over the lingering threat of the deadly virus, despite continued containment efforts by health authorities.
The latest case involves a 58-year-old man from Kumaramputhur, who died at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna, located in the neighbouring Malappuram district, on Saturday night. He had been undergoing treatment for fever and related symptoms when his condition deteriorated. Posthumous testing confirmed Nipah infection, making this the second confirmed case in the district.
The man's samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, which confirmed the presence of the virus. However, even before the official confirmation arrived, health officials in Palakkad and Malappuram had launched aggressive containment and contact-tracing measures. So far, 46 people who came into contact with the deceased over the past three weeks have been identified and placed under medical observation.
Health Minister Veena George stated that a comprehensive contact list and detailed route map of the deceased’s recent movements had been prepared and were awaiting public release following formal confirmation from NIV. Surveillance footage was examined to map the individual's interactions, and a family tree was drawn up to trace possible chains of exposure.
Field surveillance in and around Kumaramputhur has been intensified. Multiple teams of health workers are conducting door-to-door visits to monitor for symptoms and raise awareness on preventive steps among residents.
“We are stepping up our response and strengthening our health teams to curb any potential spread,” the Health Minister said. She also advised the public to avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals, particularly in Palakkad and Malappuram, and directed hospitals to limit the number of bystanders. The use of face masks has been made mandatory for patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers.
Currently, a total of 543 individuals across Kerala are under medical observation. This includes 219 in Palakkad, 208 in Malappuram, 114 in Kozhikode, and two in Ernakulam. As a precautionary measure, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kannur, and Wayanad districts have also been placed on high alert.
This is the sixth Nipah virus case reported in Kerala in the past year. Previous cases include a 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad in July 2024 and a 24-year-old man from Wandoor in September 2024, both of whom died from the infection.
Health authorities continue to emphasise the importance of early detection, community vigilance, and strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent further spread of the virus, which is believed to be transmitted by fruit bats.
With IANS inputs