Immediate action included forming 16 committees for containment, dispatching samples for validation, and tracing 151 contacts. Isolation and testing are underway.
Published Sep 15, 2024 | 7:26 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 15, 2024 | 7:26 PM
Fruit bats (flying foxes) are considered to be the carriers of the Nipah virus in Kerala. ( Mini Anto Thettayil)
Kerala Health Minister Veena George has confirmed a case of Nipah virus following the tragic death of a 24-year-old man in a private hospital.
The deceased, a student in Bengaluru, was admitted with symptoms resembling encephalitis, prompting suspicion of Nipah virus during medical investigations.
Samples swiftly sent to Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital returned positive, prompting immediate action. An emergency meeting chaired by the Health Minister convened upon confirmation, resulting in the formation of 16 committees to execute containment protocols.
The recent death comes weeks after Malappuram was declared Nipah-free on 21 August, following a 14-year-old’s death on 21 July. Despite heightened surveillance, this new case raises concerns. Health officials are now on high alert and initiating contact tracing
Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural hosts of Nipah virus (NiV). In Kerala, NiV has been detected in bat samples from Kozhikode, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Malappuram districts, according to a health department report.
Further samples have been dispatched to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for official validation.
The deceased individual’s recent movements, including visits to multiple private hospitals and travel with friends, have necessitated contact tracing efforts.
151 individuals have been identified on the primary contact list, with those in direct contact undergoing isolation measures. Subsequent tests on five isolated individuals exhibiting mild symptoms are underway.
Minister Veena George reassured the public, stating, “Efforts are underway to trace and monitor all potentially at-risk individuals, despite the virus’s rarity. Early detection and treatment protocols are in place to prevent further infections.”
The Health Department remains vigilant, urging the public not to panic while emphasising proactive measures to safeguard public health.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
