Tue Sep 17 04:54:09 UTC 2024: ## Bengaluru on High Alert After Student Dies from Nipah Virus in Kerala
Bengaluru’s health department has intensified its surveillance efforts following the death of a 24-year-old postgraduate student from the city due to Nipah virus in Kerala. The student, who was pursuing psychology at an institute in Soladevanahalli, had returned to his hometown in Malappuram, Kerala, due to a leg injury on August 25th.
He developed fever on September 5th and subsequently succumbed to the virus on September 8th after exhibiting symptoms of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).
A team from the Karnataka health department’s disease surveillance unit has been monitoring the situation closely. They visited the student’s institute and confirmed that 32 students and staff attended his funeral in Kerala. Three students had also visited him while he was hospitalized.
Two primary contacts in Bengaluru have been identified and are currently asymptomatic. The health department is actively conducting contact tracing and ensuring precautionary measures.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, has urged the public to remain calm. “We are concerned about the Nipah virus, but there is no need for people to panic. No cases have been suspected or reported in the state as of now. No symptoms have been seen among the people who attended the funeral in Kerala, many of whom have returned,” he said.
The health department has instructed primary health centres to closely monitor primary and secondary contacts, ensuring prompt action in case of any suspected cases.
First Piper 