Health workers have been instructed to remain vigilant and report any patients presenting with symptoms of fever or encephalitis without delay.
Published Jul 15, 2025 | 11:40 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 15, 2025 | 11:40 AM
Nipah Virus. (iStock)
Synopsis: A 58-year-old man from Palakkad, Kerala, died on 12 July and tested positive for Nipah in initial tests, marking the third case in July and fourth in 2025. His route map has been released. Contact tracing identified 609 people, and multiple containment zones were declared. The state has reinforced precautionary measures while awaiting confirmation from the National Institute of Virology.
Following the second Nipah virus case reported in Palakkad of a 58-year-old man, who succumbed to the virus on Friday, 12 July at Manjeri MCH, the health department has issued a route map.
He was undergoing treatment for fever-related symptoms, and his initial test results came positive on Saturday, 13 July. The case was confirmed on the same day the Palakkad district lifted containment restrictions in areas affected by the recent Nipah virus outbreak.
Officials collected CCTV footage and prepared a route map and a family tree based on the information gathered.
6 July, 2025: The patient began experiencing symptoms in the morning. Between 11 am and 12 pm, he sought treatment at the outpatient department of New Alma Hospital, Mannarkkad, travelling in his own vehicle. After the consultation, he returned home.
7 July, 2025: From 12 pm to 1:30 pm, he visited the pre-checkup area, general outpatient department, and laboratory of the Mannarkkad Taluk Hospital. He was accompanied by a friend on a two-wheeler for the visit and returned home afterwards.
Route map. (Supplied)
8 July, 2025: Between 9:30 am and 1 pm, he went to the casualty department of Mother Care Hospital, Vattambalam, again in his own vehicle. He later consulted at the hospital’s outpatient department before heading back home.
9 July, 2025: From 8:30 am to 1 pm, he moved around socially, visiting a tea shop near the bridge in Ponpara and several of his friends’ houses in the Chengaleri area, travelling by bike with a friend.
10 July, 2025: At 2:20 pm, his condition seemingly worsened, and he was admitted to the casualty of Mother Care Hospital, Vattambalam. By 5 pm, he was shifted to a private room in the same hospital. He remained admitted there until 2:40 pm on 11 July, during which time both USG and MRI scans were conducted.
11 July, 2025: At 2:40 pm, he was shifted to Maulana Hospital in a private ambulance, reaching there by 4:15 pm. He was initially admitted to the hospital’s emergency department, and later at 6:55 pm, transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for intensive monitoring.
12 July, 2025: Despite medical efforts, his condition deteriorated, and at 5:10 pm, his death was confirmed.
This is the third confirmed Nipah virus case in July. The first was reported in Malappuram, where the patient sadly passed away, and the second in Palakkad, where the individual is still undergoing treatment. Overall, this marks the fourth Nipah case in 2025.
In May, a 42-year-old woman from Valanchery in Malappuram district tested positive for the virus but fortunately recovered.
The 58-year-old’s sample has been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for confirmation. “Further steps will be taken once confirmation is received from the NIV,” an official said. The health officials were directed to strengthen teams in anticipation of additional cases.
Contact tracing efforts began immediately after the initial test result, and a total of 112 people are in the contact list of the second Nipah case confirmed in Palakkad district.
Statewide, 609 people are now on the Nipah contact list — 207 in Malappuram, 286 in Palakkad, 114 in Kozhikode, and 2 in Ernakulam.
Eight people are in ICU care in Malappuram, though 72 samples from the district have tested negative so far.
Five individuals in Palakkad are under isolation.
Currently, 38 people are categorised as highest risk, while 133 remain under high-risk observation.
An expert team from the Health Department has visited the affected sites, stepping up field-level activities and fever surveillance to prevent further spread.
The health department further continues to monitor the situation closely, including tracking mobile tower locations for contact tracing and maintaining fever surveillance in affected regions.
An alert also has been issued to hospitals in Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Thrissur.
Meanwhile authorities have announced fresh containment zones across parts of Mannarkkad and Ottapalam taluks.
According to an official notification, seven wards in Kumaramputhur Panchayat — Chakkarakulamba, Changaliri, Mothikkal, Juntharakkadavu, Vendamkurissi, Kulapaadam, and Ozhukupara — have been brought under containment.
Three wards in Karakurissi Panchayat — Thonipuram, Srampikkal, and Velungode — have also been included.
In Mannarkkad Municipality, Kanjirampadam, Govindapuram, First Mile, and Kanjiram wards were declared containment zones.
Meanwhile, in Ottapalam taluk’s Karimpuzha Panchayat, Kavund, Ambalampadam, and Pompra wards were brought under restrictions.
The Health department also advised the public to avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals, especially in the Palakkad and Malappuram districts. Meanwhile, health authorities urged people to refrain from visiting friends and relatives undergoing treatment and instructed that only one person should accompany patients to hospitals.
Mandatory mask-wearing for health workers, patients, and caregivers in hospital premises has also been reinforced.
Health workers have been instructed to remain vigilant and report any patients presenting with symptoms of fever or encephalitis without delay.
District authorities have further urged residents in these areas to strictly follow containment protocols, avoid unnecessary travel, and cooperate with health officials conducting surveillance and testing. They have also announced stricter restrictions in containment zones.
Public gatherings have been prohibited in these areas, and only essential commercial establishments will be permitted to function between 8 am and 6 pm. Medical stores, however, are exempted from this timing restriction.
Educational institutions like tuition centres, Anganwadis, and Madrasas have been directed to remain closed within containment zones. While physical classes are suspended, online education activities can continue without disruption.
Residents have also been urged to monitor the situation locally and prevent the entry of outsiders into the containment areas. Officials stressed that events such as marriages and funerals must be reported in advance to the local Station House Officer and Health Department authorities to ensure necessary precautions are in place.
The guidelines aim to check the infection’s spread while maintaining essential services for residents.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
