Concerns over the Nipah virus have resurfaced in Kerala after two “unnatural deaths” were reported in Kozhikode, prompting Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to confirm that the deaths were indeed caused by the Nipah virus. In response, a central team of experts has been dispatched to Kerala to support the state government in managing the situation.
While the union health minister’s announcement has raised alarm, the state government is awaiting official confirmation from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, where samples from the deceased and their close relatives have been sent for testing.
Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, expressed that they expect the results within hours but stressed that only the Pune NIV can officially declare the presence of the Nipah virus.
A district-wide health alert was issued as a precautionary measure after the suspected Nipah virus cases emerged. The state government has also established a control room in Kozhikode and advised residents to wear masks as a precautionary measure.
Health workers and hospitals have been instructed to adhere to infection control protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Citizens have been urged to avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, reassured the public that the government is taking the situation seriously. He emphasized that close contacts of the deceased are being traced and treated, urging caution and cooperation with the health department’s action plan.
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic illness, transmitted from animals to humans and through contaminated food or direct person-to-person contact. It can lead to a range of illnesses, including fatal encephalitis, and also affects animals like pigs, causing economic losses for farmers, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The first outbreak of Nipah virus in South India was reported in Kozhikode on May 19, 2018, prompting swift public health responses to contain the disease and prevent its spread.
Sources By Agencies
