Is Nipah Virus Back? Cases In THESE Districts Of Kerala Spark Fresh Concern

Health authorities in Kerala have issued an alert in three districts- Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad after two suspected cases of the Nipah virus were detected. Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George informed that the suspected cases of Nipah virus are from Palakkad and Malappuram districts.

Photo Credit: Representational Image/ Freepik

Nipah Virus: Kerala health authorities on Friday issued an alert across three northern districts after two individuals displayed symptoms of Nipah virus. The cases have raised concerns of an outbreak of the disease.

The health alerts have been issued in the districts of Malappuram, Palakkad, and Kozhikode. Meanwhile, according to ANI, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has informed that the suspected cases of Nipah virus are from Malappuram and Palakkad districts.

“An alert has been issued in three districts of Kerala, namely Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad, in connection with two new Nipah virus cases,” the Minister stated.

The Health Minister said that 26 committees have been formed across districts to coordinate the response, and added that police support will be sought to prepare a contact list. District Collectors have been instructed to prepare for declaring containment zones if required. In addition, state and district-level helplines will also be activated. 

Nipah Virus Test

The tests conducted at medical college hospitals in Malappuram and Kozhikode have confirmed the infections and the samples have been sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) for confirmation. It is the only lab in the country that cultures the Nipah virus. 

As final confirmation from the Institute in Pune is awaited, the government has directed officials to strengthen preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus. 

Nipah Virus: Symptoms

As per ANI, the Nipah virus is zoonotic, meaning transmitted from animals to humans, and can also spread through contaminated food or directly between people. 

The symptoms of the virus are fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, altered consciousness, and atypical pneumonia. However, in individuals who have been infected, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. 

Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) has a mortality rate of 50 percent, making it one of the most dangerous viral diseases.

ICMR’s Mobile Laboratory 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) developed RAMBAAN, a Mobile BSL-3 [MBSL-3] laboratory, an initiative for providing the diagnostic surge capacity for enhancing the onsite laboratory services during the outbreaks of known and unknown high-risk pathogens.

(with ANI inputs)