Mon Sep 16 06:00:18 UTC 2024: ## Nipah Virus Confirmed in Kerala, Raising Concerns as 151 People Identified as Primary Contacts
**Thiruvananthapuram:** A 24-year-old man from Malappuram district, Kerala, has died from Nipah virus infection, triggering concerns as health officials have identified 151 individuals as his primary contacts. The victim, a student in Bengaluru, returned to Kerala a couple of weeks before his death and had been experiencing fever, seeking treatment at four different hospitals. He passed away last Monday.
The confirmation came from the National Institute of Virology in Pune, with Health Minister Veena George announcing the tragic news. Five individuals from the primary contact list are showing mild symptoms and are undergoing testing for the virus.
“All those on the contact list will be under strict surveillance,” Minister George stated, emphasizing the health department’s focus on early detection and treatment. The Thiruvali panchayat authorities have issued a directive for all residents to wear masks and report any symptoms to health officials. A door-to-door screening will be conducted in the coming days.
This is not the first instance of Nipah virus in Kerala. In July, a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram also succumbed to the infection. The state has witnessed several outbreaks, most notably in 2018 when a devastating outbreak in Kozhikode claimed 20 lives. Despite a high alert system, Nipah continues to pose a threat, with two deaths reported in 2023 alone.
Health authorities are currently investigating the source of the infection in the deceased youth, who returned from Bengaluru on August 23. The Nipah virus, classified as a highly pathogenic Paramyxovirus by the World Health Organisation, is a serious concern due to its potential for widespread transmission.
First Piper 