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The state of Kerala is facing a new threat of Nipah virus infection, with a 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad in Malappuram district testing positive for the virus. The news was confirmed by the state government on Saturday, sparking concerns and prompting immediate containment measures. The boy's parents and relatives have not shown any symptoms as of Saturday evening, but authorities are taking no chances, declaring a 3km radius around the epicenter of the infection as a containment zone.
A total of 214 people have been placed under observation, with 60 categorized as high-risk contacts. Restrictions have been imposed in the Pandikkad and Anakkayam panchayats, and the infected boy has been transferred to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The state health minister, Veena George, has assured the public that the state is well-prepared to handle the situation, emphasizing the importance of contact tracing, prompt testing, and strict adherence to infection control protocols.
This is the fifth recorded Nipah detection in Kerala, with previous outbreaks occurring in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023. The virus is known for its high fatality rate, with 19 deaths recorded during the 2018 outbreak and the death of a 13-year-old child in 2021. The health minister has urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary hospital visits, wear masks in public, and follow the advice of healthcare professionals. She has also mentioned the deployment of monoclonal antibodies for treatment and the arrival of a team of experts from Pune Virology Institute to collect samples from animals.
Source: Nipah infection confirmed in 14-year-old boy in Kerala; 214 under observation