Kerala on Nipah alert as Kozhikode man tests positive, awaits NIV confirmation

Kerala is once again on high alert for Nipah virus infection after the preliminary test of a 43-year-old man at the Government Medical College in Kozhikode returned positive.

Officials said on Thursday (June 11) that samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for confirmation, and the results are expected shortly.

The Health Department has initiated measures to trace and isolate those who came into contact with the patient, a businessman from Feroke.

Patient on ventilator support

According to health officials, the man, who was initially admitted to a private hospital, was shifted to the Government Medical College on Wednesday and is on ventilator support.

Nipah virus is spread by fruit bats, and Kerala has reported multiple outbreaks since 2018.

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Health Minister K Muraleedharan told reporters late on Wednesday that directions had been issued to health officials in Kozhikode to remain vigilant.

“The National Virology Institute’s result is awaited for final confirmation. Based on the symptoms and preliminary test, it points to Nipah,” he said.

How patient may have been infected

According to the minister, the patient initially developed a fever that subsided but later returned, prompting hospitalisation.

“He is engaged in a small-scale business and had recently taken a godown on rent which he cleaned himself. We suspect he may have contracted the infection during that process,” Muraleedharan said, adding that there is “no need for panic” at this stage.

He said all necessary arrangements had been made at the Kozhikode Medical College to handle the situation. However, the patient had come into contact with a large number of people, Muraleedharan said.

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“He first visited the outpatient section of a hospital. Later, he underwent MRI and echocardiography tests. We have asked the health workers concerned and others who may have been exposed to remain in quarantine,” the minister said.

About Nipah virus

According to a document on the website of Kerala’s Directorate of Health Services, Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning that it can spread between animals and people.

Fruit bats, also called flying foxes, are the animal reservoir for the Human Nipah Virus (NiV) in nature. Nipah virus is also known to cause illness in pigs and people, the document says.

“Infection with NiV is associated with encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and can cause mild to severe illness and even death. Outbreaks occur almost annually in parts of Asia, primarily Bangladesh and India,” it said.

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“Nipah virus infection can be prevented by avoiding exposure to sick pigs and bats in areas where the virus is present, and not drinking raw date palm sap, which can be contaminated by an infected bat. During an outbreak, standard infection control practices can help prevent person-to-person spread in hospital settings,” the document found on the official website said.

Extensive contact list

Muraleedharan said he would chair a meeting with health officials on Thursday to review the situation.

He also said efforts were underway to prepare the patient’s route map and identify all contacts, adding that the contact list was extensive.

“Medicines are available at the Medical College. Further decisions will be taken after receiving the NIV test result,” he said.

Shigella infection in Wayanad

Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Wayanad district, eight schoolchildren have been affected by Shigella infection. Muraleedharan on Wednesday said the situation remains under control.

Disease prevention and containment measures, along with intensive awareness campaigns, are being carried out in the affected areas. A special chlorination drive is also underway to disinfect drinking water sources.

People experiencing symptoms have been advised to seek treatment at the nearest health facility without delay, the statement added.

Shigella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps. It spreads primarily through contaminated food or water, or through contact with infected individuals.

(With agency inputs)