Kerala Teen Dies Of Nipah Virus; Centre Advises Immediate Measures

Kozhikode: A 14-year-old boy from Kerala’s Mallapuram district who was undergoing treatment for Nipah virus infection died on Sunday.

State Health Minister Veena George said the boy from Pandikkad suffered a massive cardiac arrest and didn’t respond to efforts to resuscitate him.

The boy was initially admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna with symptoms of acute encephalitis syndrome. He was later shifted to a higher health centre in Kozhikode.

His samples were sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) for testing, which confirmed Nipah virus infection.

Within hours, the Union Health ministry responded, advising the Kerala government to implement urgent measures, reported Hindustan Times.

The Health ministry asked the Kerala government to conduct active case searches within the family of victim, the neighbourhood and other areas with similar topography to identify other possible Nipah virus cases.

The advisory also recommended following measures:

* Trace contacts the deceased boy had over the last 12 days to monitor symptoms and prevent further spread of the virus.

* Strictly quarantine contacts of the confirmed case and isolate any suspect showing symptoms.

* Collect samples from potential contacts and suspects and send for laboratory testing to ensure early detection and response.

A multi-member joint outbreak response team from National ‘One Health Mission’ of the Union Health ministry will be deployed to support the state government in managing the outbreak.

Also Read: Mortality Rate Of Nipah Virus Much Higher Than COVID-19: ICMR

The Central team will assist in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological linkages and providing technical assistance.

There was a Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala last year too, when two people succumbed to the infection in Kozhikode district.

Nipah virus is mainly carried by fruit bats, and human beings can ger infected through the consumption of bat-contaminated fruits.

Also Read: Return Of Nipah Virus; Know The Symptoms, Prevention