logo
Nipah virus in Kerala: Over 400 under surveillance, containment zone declared; One critical, one dead

Nipah virus in Kerala: Over 400 under surveillance, containment zone declared; One critical, one dead

Time of India07-07-2025
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ICMR invites EoIs for commercial production of advanced malaria vaccine
ICMR invites EoIs for commercial production of advanced malaria vaccine

News18

time10 hours ago

  • News18

ICMR invites EoIs for commercial production of advanced malaria vaccine

New Delhi, July 19 (PTI) The Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar, under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has developed an advanced malaria vaccine that can prevent plasmodium falciparum infection in individuals and minimise community transmission. The ICMR Delhi has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from eligible organisations, companies and manufacturers enthusiastic about the Transfer of Technology for commercial production of 'a recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine (AdFalciVax) against plasmodium falciparum". The pre-clinical validation of this technology was conducted in collaboration with ICMR-NIMR (Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Malaria Research), other constituent institutes of ICMR, and the National Institute of Immunology in Delhi, an autonomous research institute of the Department of Biotechnology, the EoI invitation said. The ICMR-RMRCBB (Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar) will provide expert guidance and technical support for the production of the vaccine in all phases, effectively accelerating its development and commercialisation. The ICMR would provide technical support through its team of experienced scientists in study planning, product development, development of study protocol, results and data analysis, outcome assessment, safety and efficacy assessment, and product improvement, if deemed fit by the mutual understanding between ICMR and the collaborative company. PTI PLB RUK RUK First Published: July 20, 2025, 00:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Nipah: Over 580 people on contact list in state
Nipah: Over 580 people on contact list in state

Time of India

time10 hours ago

  • Time of India

Nipah: Over 580 people on contact list in state

Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: Health minister Veena George stated on Saturday that the situation of Nipah infections in the state was under control. "Everything is orderly, under control. There is nothing to worry about. As per scientific protocol, we are ensuring that everything is being done," she said. A total of 581 people are on Nipah contact list across various districts in the state. In Malappuram, there are 63 people, 420 in Palakkad, 96 in Kozhikode and one person each in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. In Malappuram, 14 persons are undergoing treatment in isolation. Those who completed their isolation period, including 47 from Malappuram, one from Palakkad and 19 from Kozhikode, were removed from the contact list. In Palakkad, 13 people are receiving treatment in isolation. In the state, a total of 29 people are under high-risk category and another 78 individuals are under high-risk surveillance. The minister has instructed the medical board to make a decision regarding the containment zone. 15-year-old girl admitted to Thrissur med college hospital Meanwhile, a 15-year-old girl from Perinthalmanna, suspected to be infected by Nipah virus , was admitted to Thrissur govt medical college hospital on Friday night. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo She was admitted to the isolation ward of the medical college after she showed symptoms resembling Nipah infection. She is under close observation at the medical college. Samples collected from her were sent for virology tests. Hospital authorities told the media that they were awaiting the test results and further medication would be started based on the results. Health officials have been asked to report any cases of fever and encephalitis with symptoms of Nipah to the district and state health wing.

Rajasthan governor lauds rising role of women in healthcare leadership
Rajasthan governor lauds rising role of women in healthcare leadership

News18

time11 hours ago

  • News18

Rajasthan governor lauds rising role of women in healthcare leadership

Jaipur, Jul 19 (PTI) Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde on Saturday lauded the increasing role of women in healthcare leadership. Addressing students at IIHMR University's Annual Convocation 2025, Bagde urged them to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired towards nation-building. He also encouraged universities to collaborate with both national and international institutions. He said that by integrating traditional and modern knowledge, the National Education Policy 2022 aims to foster the holistic development of students. 'It is heartening to note that all four gold medal recipients this year are women. This reflects the rising role of women in healthcare leadership," the governor said. The convocation saw 423 students receiving their degrees, with women comprising 58 percent of the graduating batch. Female students (247) outnumbered their male (176) counterparts and bagged six out of seven academic medals. Guest of Honour Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India, highlighted India's growing global role in healthcare and advised students to serve with humility and compassion. RUHS Vice Chancellor Dr. Pramod Yeole stressed the importance of rural healthcare and public health leadership. IIHMR University president Dr P.R. Sodani reported that the highest salary package this year stood at Rs 28.56 LPA, with 11 students placed internationally. The university also inaugurated its new Centre for Clinical Research on the occasion. The convocation included graduates from MBA, MPH, MHA, and doctoral programmes. PTI AG HIG HIG (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 19, 2025, 20:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store