Kerala: 14-Year-Old Boy From Malappuram District Contacts Nipa Virus, State Vigilant

On Saturday, the southern state of Kerala reports another case of Nipah virus. A 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district has been declared positive.

As per health minister Veena George, she declared, that the 14-year-old boy has been given life support at Kozhikode’s private hospital. Unfortunately, his condition is critical.

Moreover, the Kozhikode’s laboratory has confirmed Nipah infection in boy’s test reports. It was also confirmed by Pune’s national institute of virology (NIV).

Action Taken By The Government?

To deal with this virus, the government has constituted a control room at Malappuram to oversee the situation.

As per Standard operating procedure (SOP), 25 committees have been established to deal with the situation.

After the case of Nipah was reported, Kerala’s health department along with Pandikkad panchayat are establishing a route map to determine the places, that the boy has visited.

On saturday, state’s health minister Veena George has conducted a high-chair meeting in Malappuram district to talk about measures to restrict the spread of Nipah virus.

As for the boy, he has been transferred to govt.medical hospital at Kozhikode on saturday. For his treatment, George revealed that, NIV-Pune has sent monoclonal anti-body doses, which was taken from Australia. It will come to Kerala on sunday.

Meanwhile since 2018, Kerala has witnessed five Nipah outbreaks. Out of total 26 patients, only 6 have survived till now. As of September 2023, six cases related to Nipah virus has been found at Kozhikode. Tragically, two of the patients did not survive the virus, by the time they got diagnosed.