Letters to The Editor — July 7, 2025
Once again, Nipah arrives, uninvited — Kerala's most persistent and punctual monsoon guest.
While the Health Department's rapid containment is commendable, disease recurrence reflects gaps in epidemic foresight and community-level preparedness. Must we always greet viruses with press meets and panic? It is time our public health strategy moved from reactive mode to a resilience model. Until then, Nipah seems more punctual than policy.
Azim Parayangattil,
Vadakkekad, Thrissur, Kerala
Trade deal with the U.S.
India's upcoming interim trade deal with the U.S. may sound promising, but who truly benefits from it? Are we safeguarding our farmers, or are we silently surrendering to economic pressure? Can India's small-scale agricultural backbone withstand a flood of imports? And, are we evaluating national interest through long-term stability, or through short-term headlines? Trade must not be rushed under foreign influence. We need clarity, consultation, and care before we sign.
Hasnain Rabbani,
Mumbai
A heave of 86.18 m
Congrats to Neeraj Chopra, India's ace javelin thrower, who scripted history by winning the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic title ('Sport' page, July 6). We wish him all success.
R. Sampath,
Chennai
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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Kerala Nipah virus: After death in Malappuram, patient critical in Palakkad; officials on alert
The condition of a Nipah virus-infected patient reported in north Kerala's Palakkad continued to remain critical, with state health minister Veena George saying that all possible treatment is being provided. A three-kilometre radius around the patient's house has been declared a containment zone,(PTI) The 38-year-old woman, a native of Thachanattukara, is undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College in Kozhikode, news agency PTI reported. Concerns over the woman's critical condition were raised as a Malappuram native succumbed to the virus last week. The health minister said that the woman has been given monoclonal antibody treatment according to the protocol, with the second dose administered on Monday morning. "This is the first Nipah case reported in Palakkad. The patient's condition remains critical, but all available treatment is being provided," the minister told reporters after the meeting. George said that a total of 173 contacts related to the woman have been identified, of whom 100 were primary and 73 secondary. Among them 52 are considered high-risk and 48 are low-risk, she added. ALSO READ | Two suspected Nipah virus cases flagged Kerala, three districts on alert Five samples have tested negative so far, and four more will be tested at the Manjeri Medical College on Monday. Meanwhile, a three-kilometre radius around the patient's house has been declared a containment zone, with strict surveillance being carried out by the district police chief and district collector. After chairing a high-level review meeting at the Palakkad Medical College, which was also attended by the district collector, police chief, and senior health officials, the minister warned of strict action against those spreading false information related to the virus outbreak. On Saturday, the death of an 18-year-old girl was confirmed to have Nipah infection. The patient from Malappuram's Chettiyarangadi succumbed after receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. Initial tests suggested Nipah and the infection was subsequently confirmed by Pune's National Institute of Virology (NIV). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted from animals to people, and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from one person to another. The virus causes a range of illnesses in infected people, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. Nipah can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Nipah patient from Palakkad continues to be critical, 173 included on contact list
As the Palakkad native who was tested positive for Nipah is fighting for her life at the Government Medical College in Kozhikode, the government has intensified measures to prevent the spread of the disease around her native village in Palakkad district. Health Minister Veena George told reporters in Palakkad after a review meeting on Monday that the 38-year old patient was administered two doses of Monoclonal Antibody, used as a potential treatment for Nipah infection. As many as 173 people have been included on the contact list, 100 on the primary list and 73 on the secondary list. Of them, 52 are in the high-risk category while 48 are in the low-risk category. The five samples of people who had developed symptoms tested in the district so far have turned out to be negative for Nipah while four other samples are being tested at the Government Medical College Hospital in Manjeri. As many as 12 people have been placed under isolation. The area in the three kilometres radius of the patient's house has been declared as a containment zone. The District Collector and District Police Chief are leading the surveillance in this area. As Nipah spreads mostly when the patient is in critical condition, surveillance is focussed on people who met the patient after July 1. Meanwhile, a person identified to have had close contact with the patient at a private clinic in Mannarkkad, is yet to be traced. Meanwhile the Health department will revisit cases of death due to brain hemorrhage and similar ailments during the past month with the help of private hospitals and the Indian Medical Association. Though the initial tests are being carried out at the Medical College Hospitals in Manjeri and Kozhikode, the results from the National Institute of Virology at Pune is considered the last word in confirming Nipah. As field surveillance has been strengthened in Palakkad district, efforts have been made to ensure social and mental support to those in quarantine. Animal deaths in and around houses are also monitored while efforts are being made to test the samples from bats under the custody of the Department of Animal Welfare. Quarantine facilities have been made available at Government Medical College Hospital in Palakkad. The Minister said that the hospital has facilities to treat even the positive cases. Ms. George came down heavily on those spreading false information and making unfounded statements. 'Nipah has been reported in Palakkad for the first time. The global death rate due to Nipah is 70% to 90%. Even as Kerala faced Nipah in 2018 and 2023, the death toll was very low. It was only 33% in 2023,' she added. District Collector G .Priyanka, District Police Chief Ajith Kumar, Additional Director of Health Services (Public Health) K.P. Reetha, District Medical Officer K.R. Divya and senior officials of the Health department were present at the press meet.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Nipah virus in Kerala: Over 400 under surveillance, containment zone declared; One critical, one dead
Kerala Health Minister Veena George has confirmed that 425 individuals have been placed on the Nipah virus contact list across the state. Malappuram district has reported the highest number of contacts at 228, followed by 110 in Palakkad and 87 in Kozhikode. Among those identified, one person has tested negative. Health authorities have launched extensive surveillance and containment measures in response. What is Nipah virus and where it started Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly fatal zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. It causes acute encephalitis, respiratory distress, and in many cases, death. The virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1999 and has since led to multiple deadly outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia. Kerala has experienced six such outbreaks, making it the most Nipah-affected state in India. The state's first outbreak in 2018 occurred in Perambra, Kozhikode, and resulted in 17 deaths, including that of nurse Lini Puthussery, who contracted the virus while treating the index patient. Investigations later confirmed that fruit bats , also known as flying foxes, were the likely source. Nipah virus can spread through direct contact with infected animals such as pigs, consumption of fruits or palm sap contaminated by fruit bats, and human-to-human transmission via bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Nipah virus symptoms and precautions Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, seizures, coma, and encephalitis. There is currently no vaccine for Nipah virus, and treatment is primarily supportive. Live Events The Health Department has advised the public to stay alert, avoid consuming fruits bitten by bats, and to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms occur. Containment measures underway in affected districts In Malappuram district, field operations are focused on tracing the source of the outbreak and halting further spread. Surveillance has been conducted in 20 wards across the panchayats of Makkaraparamba, Kuruva, Koottilangadi, and Mankada. A total of 65 teams visited 1,655 households for door-to-door awareness and contact tracing. The survey was led by Dr N.N. Pameela, with support from C.K. Suresh Kumar, M. Shahul Hameed, and epidemiologist Dr Kiran Raj. The team's report has been submitted to District Medical Officer Dr Renuka. In Palakkad, one individual is in isolation while 61 healthcare workers have been identified as close contacts. The health department has opted for local isolation with samples sent for testing. A three-kilometre radius around the patient's house has been declared a containment zone, with strict surveillance being carried out by the district collector and district police chief, said Kerala's Health minister to PTI. A Malappuram native, had succumbed to the virus last week as reported by PTI. In Kozhikode, all 87 individuals on the contact list are healthcare professionals who may have been exposed during treatment or response activities. Coordination efforts and resource deployment Route maps of confirmed cases in Palakkad and Malappuram have been released to support contact tracing and raise public awareness. Ambulance services, including the Kaniv 108 fleet, have been placed on standby. Fever surveillance in the affected regions has also been strengthened. The Health Minister stressed the importance of providing psychological support to individuals under observation. Fruit bats are once again suspected to be the source of the virus. A high-level review meeting chaired by Veena George was convened in the district. The session included senior officials such as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the NHM State Mission Director, the Director of Medical Education, Additional Directors, District Collectors, District Medical Officers, police officials, and representatives from other departments.
