24-Year-Old’s Death Confirmed as Nipah Virus Case in Kerala

The health authorities in Kerala have confirmed that the death of a 24-year-old man from Wandoor in Malappuram district was due to the Nipah virus. Veena George, the Minister for Health, made this announcement following the verification of test results from the National Institute of Virology in Pune on September 15, 2024.

The deceased, who was a student in Bengaluru, succumbed to the virus at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna on September 9, after being admitted with symptoms indicative of hepatitis. The suspicion of Nipah virus arose when the medical team observed signs of encephalitis during the investigation into his death. District Medical Officer R. Renuka had sent the patient’s serum samples to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode, which yielded positive results for Nipah virus on the evening of September 14, 2024.

In response, the Health Department implemented immediate measures, forming 16 committees according to the established Nipah protocol. These steps were taken while awaiting the final confirmation from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, which was received the following day.

Dr. Renuka reported that 151 individuals who had been in contact with the victim were identified, with five showing mild symptoms. Their samples have been sent for further Nipah testing, and all of them are currently in isolation. Health officials asserted that there is no cause for public alarm as all potential contacts are being closely monitored.

Earlier in the year, on July 21, a 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad, located near Wandoor, also died from a Nipah virus infection. This incident had led to significant concerns across the district, prompting restrictions in two local panchayats. Nipah outbreaks have been documented in Kozhikode district in previous years, including in 2018, 2021, and 2023, and in Ernakulam district in 2019. Experts have identified the presence of Nipah virus antibodies in bats across several districts, including Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam.