A 14-year-old boy from Mallapuram district has died from Nipah virus, as confirmed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The boy, who exhibited symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), was initially admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna before being transferred to a higher health center in Kozhikode. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the disease despite medical efforts.
In response to the confirmed case, the Centre has advised several immediate public health measures. These include an active case search in the boy’s family, neighborhood, and areas with similar topography. Authorities are also tracing any contacts from the past 12 days and enforcing strict quarantine for the contacts and isolation for any suspected cases. Samples are being collected and transported for laboratory 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 help investigate the case, identify epidemiological linkages, and provide technical assistance.
In addition, at the State’s request, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management. However, due to the boy’s poor condition, the antibodies could not be used. A mobile Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts has also arrived in Kozhikode.
Kerala has experienced Nipah virus outbreaks in the past, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district. Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus, and humans can become infected by accidentally consuming bat-contaminated fruits.
