Kerala's health officials are urgently working to contain a potential Nipah virus outbreak following the death of a 12-year-old boy. Dozens of contacts have been identified, tested, and quarantined.
The boy, who had a high fever, sought treatment at a private clinic in Kozhikode, Kerala, on August 29, per Indian media reports. Doctors initially suspected encephalitis, but tests at the National Institute of Virology confirmed Nipah virus. He passed away on September 5.
In recent days, authorities have ramped up contact tracing. As of Monday, Health Minister Veena George reported 188 individuals identified, including 20 high-risk primary contacts (mainly family). All have been tested and placed in strict quarantine. This includes two healthcare workers exposed to the patient, now hospitalized with similar symptoms.
Neighboring districts in Kerala remain vigilant for new cases. This marks the second Nipah outbreak in the state in three years, amid over 40,000 daily COVID-19 cases.
Nipah virus, carried by Pteropodidae fruit bats, spreads to animals like pigs, dogs, cats, goats, horses, and sheep. Humans contract it via these animals or through fruits or products like raw date palm juice contaminated with bat urine or saliva.
Symptoms in humans range from asymptomatic to fever (3 days to 2 weeks), cough, sore throat, and breathing issues, progressing to seizures, coma, and fatal brain swelling.
First detected in Malaysia in 1998, Nipah has a low incidence but a high fatality rate of 40-70%. Its long incubation (up to 45 days) and broad animal host range concern experts. No vaccine or treatment exists yet.
