Nipah Virus Outbreak in India: 38-Year-Old Woman Critical, Kerala on High Alert After New Confirmed Cases and One Death

The state of Kerala has been seeing an uptick in cases of the Nipah virus infections. Underlining the threat, the authorities take measures.

Nipah Virus Alert In India: In a concerning development, a 38-year-old woman from Palakkad, Kerala, has tested positive for the deadly Nipah virus and is currently in critical condition on ventilator support at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, according to local media reports. Initially admitted to Perinthalmanna’s Moulana Hospital, the patient was later shifted to Kozhikode after her samples tested positive at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, Manorama News reported.

Health authorities have confirmed that the patient received monoclonal antibody treatment as part of her care. In a major relief, her daughter and a 10-year-old relative both showing symptoms and identified as high-risk contacts have tested negative for the virus.

Nipah Virus Alert In India: What Is Kerala Government Doing?

According to the reports, after the patient was detected Nipah Virus positive, 57 others (those who came in contact with the patient) were put in quarantine in Palakkad. Till now, the Palakkad health department has found 91 people who were reported to be in contact with the patient who tested positive.

Among them, 57 have been quarantined, and 110 people have yet to be put under observation to eliminate the risk of the spread. To stop the spread of the outbreak, the authorities have taken measures to set up a 24-hour control room to monitor and have created a 25-member team to take action.

Besides this, the authorities have also formed a 40-bed quarantine unit at Palakkad Government Medical College. Health Minister Veena George has advised that all the people who came in contact with the patient be isolated within the district. The minister has declared the containment zones, and further inspections are being carried out to prevent the spread of the virus.

Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: Containment Zones Declared

Talking about the containment zones, they have reportedly been declared in six wards. Thachanattukkara Grama Panchayat and wards 17 and 18 of Karimpuzha Grama Panchayat have been declared as containment zones.

Several protocols have been declared, noting down a few of them- only essential services are permitted in these areas, and the implementation of the plan to stop the spread is being carried out strictly. There are inspections being carried out within a radius of 3-kilometre from where the patient was discovered to help trace out the origin of the particular infection that has been reported and identify any additional cases.

The District Collector G. Priyanka has asked the people to avoid visiting areas where they can see the presence of bats and has further advised to make sure not to disturb or harm them as they are suspected to be the source of the infection.

It has been reported that Health Minister Veena George will be visiting the Palakkad district for a critical meeting to review the condition along with district health officials.

It was confirmed last week on Saturday by the state health department that there has been a death recorded of an 18-year-old, Bishara Nehrin, in Kozhikode on July 1 due to the Nipah virus.

There have been two confirmed cases and one death, which has prompted a high alert in Malappuram, Palakkad, and the Kozhikode districts. Kerala Health Minister Veena George has confirmed that the contact list of the people who met the patient includes 425 people, from whom 228 are in Malappuram, 110 are in Palakkad, and 87 are in Kozhikode. One has tested negative so far.

What Is Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus is known to be a deadly zoonotic virus that can potentially spread from animals which mainly including fruit bats and pigs, to humans, and it can further transmit from one infected person to person.

How Nipah Virus Spreads

Nipah virus is known to spread through various sources that can possibly include animals like bats, and then it can even spread from one person to another. Coming in contact with the body fluids of infected individuals or respiratory droplets can further intensify the spread of the virus.

Nipah virus is a serious condition; as yet, there is no specific vaccine or even antiviral treatment available to stop the spread. However, certain things like hydration, rest, and parallel medications can help stop the spread of the virus.

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