Kerala has reported a fresh Nipah virus case after a 57-year-old man from Palakkad succumbed to the deadly infection. The confirmation came after tests conducted at Manjeri Medical College in Malappuram, prompting swift action from the state health department.
Health Minister Veena George announced that the patient’s contact list has been prepared, with 46 individuals identified so far as having been in direct contact with the deceased. A detailed route map of the patient’s movements has been drawn up, and intensified field surveillance is now underway. Authorities are also leveraging mobile tower data for better tracking. Final confirmation from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune is awaited.
As a containment strategy, certain areas in Mannarkkad and Kumaramputhur have been sealed off. Specifically, wards 8 to 14 in Kumaramputhur and wards 25 to 28 in Mannarkkad Municipality have been declared containment zones.
In total, 543 people are currently on the Nipah contact list. The breakdown by district is as follows: Palakkad – 219, Malappuram – 208, Kozhikode – 114, and Ernakulam – 2.
This is the second Nipah case reported in Palakkad, prompting the health department to issue alerts to hospitals in six districts: Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Thrissur. The minister urged immediate reporting of symptoms such as fever with signs of encephalitis.
Citizens, especially in Palakkad and Malappuram, have been advised to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Only one bystander per patient is allowed, and all patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers must wear masks at all times in medical facilities.
The government continues to monitor the situation closely as containment and contact tracing efforts intensify.
