The case was confirmed on the same day the Palakkad district lifted containment restrictions in areas affected by the recent Nipah virus outbreak.
Published Jul 13, 2025 | 10:16 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 13, 2025 | 10:16 AM
Suspected nipah virus case reported in Palakkad; samples sent for confirmation
Synopsis: A Nipah virus case was reported in Kerala after a 58-year-old man from the Palakkad district tested positive in initial tests at Manjeri Medical College Hospital. His sample has been sent to the National Institute of Virology Pune for confirmation.
A fresh Nipah virus case has been reported in Kerala after a 58-year-old man from Kumaramputhur in the Palakkad district, who was undergoing treatment for fever-related symptoms, tested positive in initial tests at Manjeri Medical College Hospital in the Malappuram district on Saturday, 13 July.
His sample has been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune for confirmation.
The case was confirmed on the same day the Palakkad district lifted containment restrictions in areas affected by the recent Nipah virus outbreak. The restrictions in the Malappuram district were withdrawn on Thursday.
Health authorities have intensified contact tracing efforts in Palakkad and Malappuram, with 497 people across the state currently under observation. This includes 203 from Malappuram, 178 from Palakkad, 114 from Kozhikode, and two from Ernakulam. Fourteen individuals are under highest-risk surveillance, and 82 are under high-risk monitoring.
In Malappuram, 10 people are being treated, including one in the intensive care unit (ICU), and 62 samples have returned negative. Palakkad has five active cases in isolation, while five others have been discharged. A central team has visited both districts for assessment.
Earlier on Saturday, the district administration lifted containment measures in six wards of two panchayats, signalling a significant step in the region’s efforts to control the outbreak.
According to an official order issued on Saturday, containment restrictions have been withdrawn from Wards 7, 8, 9, and 11 of Thachanattukara Grama Panchayat in Mannarkkad taluk and Wards 17 and 18 of Karimpuzha Grama Panchayat in Ottapalam taluk.
The move came after health officials confirmed that the situation in these areas has stabilised, with no new Nipah cases reported and existing contact lists under control. However, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious.
“Even though restrictions have been lifted, we must remain vigilant,” the order stated, adding that individuals currently under quarantine should continue isolation until further notice from health officials.
The containment zones were initially declared following the confirmation of Nipah virus infection in Thachanattukara Grama Panchayat in Mannarkkad taluk last month. Intensive surveillance, contact tracing, and isolation protocols were enforced to prevent further spread.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman and Dileep V Kumar.)
