The boy was initially admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) symptoms...
Digital Desk: A 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district, Kerala, who tested positive for Nipah virus at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, succumbed to the disease on Sunday afternoon, according to Health Minister Veena George.
The boy, initially admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) symptoms, was later transferred to a higher health center in Kozhikode, where he succumbed to the disease. The Government of India confirmed the Nipah virus infection after samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.
In response, the Centre has advised the Kerala state government to take immediate public health measures. These measures include an active case search within the family of the confirmed case, the neighborhood, and areas with similar topography. The Centre also recommended active contact tracing for the past 12 days, strict quarantine for contacts, isolation of suspects, and collection and transportation of samples for lab testing.
To support the state, a multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National 'One Health Mission' of the Union Health Ministry will be deployed. This team will assist in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological linkages, and providing technical support.
Additionally, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management, and a mobile BSL-3 laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts has arrived in Kozhikode. However, the monoclonal antibodies could not be used due to the boy's deteriorated condition before his death.
Kerala has experienced Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) outbreaks in the past, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in Kozhikode. Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus, and humans can become infected by accidentally consuming bat-contaminated fruits, as noted in the government press release.
Health Minister Veena George convened a high-level meeting on Saturday in Malappuram district following reports of a suspected Nipah virus case. The meeting focused on preventive measures to curb the virus's spread and ensure public safety. Officials reviewed the current situation and assessed the steps taken so far to control the outbreak.
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