Kerala Health Minister Confirms Nipah Infection In 14-Year-Old Boy From Malappuram

Malappuram: Following the recent spread of the Chandipura virus in Gujarat, the Nipah virus has now been suspected in Kerala’s Malappuram district. The Kerala Health Minister, Veena George, confirmed on Saturday that a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district has tested positive for Nipah virus. The infection was confirmed by the Pune National Institute of Virology (NIV). The boy, currently under treatment at a private hospital, will be transferred to the government medical college in Kozhikode. He is on a ventilator, and contact tracing has begun, with high-risk people in contact have been already isolated and their samples have been sent for testing.

The epicentre of the infection has been identified as Pandikkad, where precautionary measures have been initiated. Residents in the area and visitors to nearby hospitals are advised to wear masks and avoid visiting patients. The state government has recently announced a special action calendar to prevent a Nipah outbreak, a recurrent issue in the state.

The Nipah outbreaks were previously reported in Kozhikode district in 2018, 2021, and 2023, and in Ernakulam district in 2019. As per, antibodies for the virus have been detected in bats in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam districts. This confirmation follows the spread of the Chandipura virus in Gujarat, raising public health concerns in Kerala.