Nipah patient in critical condition in Palakkad; containment zone set up

Palakkad: The condition of the Nipah virus-infected patient reported in this northern Kerala district remains critical, and all possible treatment is being administered, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Monday.

The 38-year-old woman, a native of Thachanattukara, is currently receiving care at the Government Medical College in neighbouring Kozhikode district. Another patient, hailing from Malappuram, had succumbed to the virus last week.

In accordance with medical protocol, the woman has been given monoclonal antibody treatment, with the second dose administered on Monday morning, George said after presiding over a high-level review meeting at Palakkad Medical College.

"This is the first Nipah case reported in Palakkad. The patient's condition remains critical, but all available treatment is being provided," the minister told reporters following the meeting.

A total of 173 contacts have been identified—100 primary and 73 secondary. Among them, 52 are considered high-risk and 48 low-risk, she said.

All five samples tested in the district so far have returned negative. Four additional samples are scheduled for testing at Manjeri Medical College on Monday, she added.

A three-kilometre radius around the patient’s residence has been declared a containment zone, with strict surveillance being enforced by the district collector and the district police chief.

The minister also issued a warning against the spread of misinformation related to the outbreak, stating that strict action would be taken against those responsible.

The meeting was attended by the district collector, the police chief, and senior health officials, according to an official statement.

Nipah virus infection, as described on the WHO website, is a zoonotic illness transmitted to humans from animals and can also spread through contaminated food or directly from person to person.

(inputs from PTI)