Nipah Virus Kills 24-year-old Man In Kerala’s Malappuram, Health Authorities on Alert

Malappuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday said that a 24-year-old man who died recently at a private hospital in Malappuram was infected with the Nipah virus. 

George said the suspicion of Nipah infection arose after a death investigation conducted by the Regional Medical Officer.

"The available samples were immediately sent for testing and it turned out to be positive," the minister said in a video message.

The Malappuram native who returned from Bengaluru passed away on September 9. Subsequently, his samples were sent to the laboratory at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for testing.

Malappuram health officials reported that the test results from Kozhikode Medical College indicated a positive result. In response, the health minister convened a high-level meeting on Saturday night and took the required actions according to protocol.

Earlier today, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune confirmed the infection.

Contact List of 151 People Identified 

The minister said 16 committees were formed on Saturday night itself and a contact list of 151 people has been identified.

She said the man had travelled with his friends to various places and the close contacts had been isolated.

"Minor fever and symptoms were found in five of those under isolation and their samples have been sent for testing," the minister said.

A boy from Malappuram, who was undergoing treatment for Nipah infection, died on July 21. It was the first confirmed case of Nipah infection in the state this year.

Nipah outbreaks have been reported in Kozhikode district in 2018, 2021 and 2023 and in Ernakulam district in 2019, and the presence of Nipah virus antibodies had been detected in bats in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts.

What is Nipah Virus ?

According to World Health Organisation, Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people. In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.  

Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people, making it a public health concern.

(With Inputs From PTI)