Nipah Virus Resurfaces in Kerala. Photo Credit: thehindu
Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus have been reported in Kerala, prompting state authorities to declare a public health alert and ramp up containment efforts. The emergence of this rare and deadly Nipah virus strain in the districts of Palakkad and Malappuram has alarmed health officials, as both patients exhibited symptoms such as fever, neurological distress, and vomiting.
Nipah virus outbreaks in Kerala have occurred multiple times since 2018, with fatality rates often exceeding 70% in severe episodes. The virus is primarily transmitted by fruit bats—the natural reservoir—but can also spread to humans through contaminated food or close contact with infected persons.
Clinical Profiles and Current Cases
According to Kerala’s health department, the two confirmed cases involve a 38-year-old woman from Nattukal in Palakkad and a 42-year-old woman from Valanchery in Malappuram, as per anews report from The Hindu. Both are undergoing treatment in isolated infectious disease units in government hospitals. The patients had presented with high fever, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and symptoms resembling viral encephalitis.
Authorities have identified and quarantined over 30 close contacts of the patients, including healthcare workers and family members. Initial test results for most contacts have returned negative, but a second round of testing will be carried out after the incubation period.
Response Measures and Emergency Alert
In response to the confirmed cases, the Kerala government has declared containment zones in affected localities and issued advisories across Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts. Public gatherings are being restricted and schools may remain closed in vulnerable areas until further notice.
The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and District Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been activated. A mobile testing lab from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, has been dispatched to Malappuram to expedite RT-PCR testing and avoid sample backlogs.
Officials are also conducting field surveillance in bat-inhabited regions and monitoring wildlife and livestock for potential cross-species transmission.
Why Kerala Is Vulnerable
Kerala has previously reported Nipah outbreaks in 2018, 2019, and 2021, with Kozhikode and nearby districts most affected. The region’s high human-animal interface, dense vegetation, and fruit orchards overlapping with bat habitats increase the likelihood of zoonotic spillovers.
Health experts have noted that the virus has a high potential for person-to-person transmission and that even a few confirmed cases warrant aggressive containment to prevent clusters or hospital-acquired infections.
The Urgent Need for a “One Health” Approach
Kerala has consistently adopted a One Health model, involving coordination between public health, animal husbandry, forest departments, and virologists. The Institute of Advanced Virology in Thiruvananthapuram is playing a key role in genomic surveillance and research, especially in tracing virus variants and understanding spillover pathways.
The state is also coordinating with national agencies like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and World Health Organization (WHO) to maintain updated protocols.
What the Public Should Know
Common symptoms of Nipah include high fever, severe headache, dizziness, respiratory issues, confusion, and sometimes seizures. The public is advised to:
- Avoid consuming fallen or half-eaten fruits.
- Refrain from visiting bat-infested areas or fruit orchards unnecessarily.
- Maintain personal hygiene and wear masks in crowded places.
- Seek immediate medical attention if flu-like symptoms develop, especially if in contact with suspected cases.
Healthcare workers are being trained on PPE use, infection control, and early symptom recognition to avoid nosocomial transmission.
Looking Ahead
There is currently no licensed antiviral or vaccine for Nipah virus. Experimental drugs like ribavirin and favipiravir are being used with mixed success. Vaccine trials are underway globally, but nothing is available for mass use.
Health authorities in Kerala have announced that surveillance will continue until at least 28 days (two incubation cycles) have passed after the last case is declared non-infectious. Strict contact tracing and daily updates from district control rooms will be maintained.
For more stories click here
Follow us for latest updates:
