News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/21st July 2024
A 14-year-old boy from Kerala’s Kozhikode succumbed to the Nipah virus on Sunday, as confirmed by the state government and reported by PTI. This tragic event marks another chapter in the ongoing battle against this deadly virus in the region.
Health workers promptly transferred individuals who had been in contact with the infected boy to an isolation center at a government hospital in Kozhikode. The Kerala government had confirmed the Nipah infection in the boy, who was from Malappuram district, just a day prior to his death.
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic illness, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. Common carriers include pigs and fruit bats. The virus can spread to humans either through direct contact with infected animals or via consumption of contaminated food. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, adding to the complexity of managing outbreaks.
Symptoms of Nipah virus infection range from intense fever, vomiting, and respiratory infections to more severe cases involving seizures and brain inflammation, which can lead to a coma. Currently, there is no vaccine available for the Nipah virus, making prevention and early detection crucial.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George stated that the National Institute of Virology in Pune confirmed the boy’s infection. Initially on a ventilator at a private hospital, his condition deteriorated rapidly. Following this confirmation, the health department began contact tracing, isolating high-risk contacts, and sending their samples for testing.
Pandikkad in Malappuram district has been identified as the epicenter of this outbreak. Precautionary measures were swiftly put in place, including urging residents in and around Pandikkad and nearby hospitals to wear masks in public spaces and avoid visiting patients in hospitals. A strict observation and restriction zone within a three-kilometer radius of the epicenter was also established.
The state health department had been alerted to the suspected Nipah infection by a private hospital in Kozhikode on Friday. In response, samples were tested at local laboratories and sent to the virology institute in Pune for further confirmation.
Residents have been advised to take several precautions to avoid contracting the virus. These include avoiding fruits that appear to have been bitten by birds or animals, washing fruits thoroughly before consumption, and not consuming beverages like toddy that are stored in open containers.
Kerala has a history of Nipah virus outbreaks, with cases reported in Kozhikode in 2018, 2021, and 2023, and in Ernakulam in 2019. Antibodies for the Nipah virus have been detected in bats in multiple districts, including Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam. The 2018 outbreak was particularly severe, with at least 17 fatalities.
The recurrence of Nipah virus in Kerala underscores the need for continued vigilance and rapid response to contain outbreaks. Public awareness, stringent health measures, and prompt isolation of suspected cases are vital in preventing the spread of this deadly virus. The state health department’s proactive steps, such as contact tracing and establishing isolation zones, are crucial in managing the current situation and mitigating further risks.
