Kozhikode: Memories of 2018 and 2019 where Nipah virus claimed 18 lives continues to haunt the Kerala health department and the public after a 15-year-old boy was admitted to a private hospital here with symptoms of the Nipah virus, health officials confirmed. The boy hailing from Malappuram’s Perinthalmanna is in critical condition. The boy’s family members are currently not showing any symptoms.
Three people who are in the contact list are under observation currently, informed sources from the health department.
The Health Department has instructed the public and the hospitals to follow protocol. Health Minister Veena George has convened a meeting at 10am to discuss the matter. The boy, who was first admitted to a hospital in Malappuram, was shifted to Kozhikode on Friday evening. His blood sample will be sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune for final confirmation.
The health department has informed that all the protocols followed in a Nipah case is been followed in the latest suspicious case. All the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have been initiated by a committee of the government when the earlier Nipah cases were reported will be followed in the case. Health minister Veena George will arrive in Malappuram and will coordinate with the health team on what steps to be taken going forward.
“As of now we are preparing the route map of the patient who is suspected to have infected with Nipah virus. We have taken all possible precautions in this case. Since we already have experiences in dealing with Nipah virus cases from 2017 onwards, there is a set of protocols that we follow. Here too, we do the same. The results of the samples that has been sent to Pune virology institute is supposed to arrive today”, said Dr Renuka, District Medical Officer, Malappuram.
About Nipah Virus
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease (transmitted to people from animals) with a high case fatality rate in humans. can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person-to-person. Initial symptoms include fever, respiratory distress, headaches, and vomiting. Severe cases can also include encephalitis and seizures leading to coma. Kerala has seen Nipah outbreaks in 2018 (which claimed 21 lives) as well as in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Suspected Nipah: The blood sample results that was sent to Pune virology institute to arrive at 5pm today, said health department officials Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
