A 14-year-old boy from Mallapuram district in Kerala has tragically passed away from the Nipah virus, prompting an urgent response from health authorities. Initially admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna for symptoms resembling acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), he was later transferred to a higher health center in Kozhikode. Despite efforts, the boy succumbed to the illness. Subsequent testing at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune confirmed that he had contracted the Nipah virus.
The Union health ministry has instructed the Kerala government to take immediate public health actions, including conducting active searches to find any additional cases within the family, neighborhood, and similar areas. Contacts of the confirmed case over the past 12 days are being traced to monitor for symptoms and prevent further transmission. Strict quarantine measures have been advised for these contacts, with suspected cases isolated to contain the virus. Samples from potential contacts and suspects are being collected for laboratory testing to enable swift detection and response.
To bolster the state’s efforts, a team from the National ‘One Health Mission’ under the Union health ministry will assist in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological links, and providing technical support. Monoclonal antibodies provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to manage the patient were unable to be administered due to the boy’s deteriorating health. Additionally, a mobile Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory has been deployed in Kozhikode to handle testing of additional samples from contacts.
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Nipah virus outbreaks have occurred previously in Kerala, including a recent one in 2023 in Kozhikode district. The virus, carried primarily by fruit bats, can infect humans through consumption of bat-contaminated fruits.
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