14-Year-Old Boy in Kerala Confirmed with Nipah Virus Infection

Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed a Nipah virus infection in a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district. The Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) verified the infection, and the boy is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital. He will be transferred to the government medical college in Kozhikode. Contact tracing has commenced, with high-risk contacts already isolated and their samples sent for testing.

Precautionary Measures and Isolation

The epicentre of the outbreak is identified as Pandikkad in Malappuram. Precautionary measures have been initiated, including advising locals and nearby hospital visitors to wear masks and avoid visiting patients. The Health department has set up 30 isolation rooms and a six-bed ICU at Manjeri Medical College. All individuals who had contact with the infected boy have been isolated.

A three-kilometre radius around Pandikkad will be strictly monitored, with restrictions imposed. The child initially sought treatment at a private clinic on July 12, was admitted to a private hospital on July 15, and later moved to another private hospital in Perinthalmanna before being shifted to Kozhikode.

Monoclonal Antibody and Mobile Lab

The monoclonal antibody procured from Australia during the last outbreak will arrive in Kerala on Sunday. Additionally, the Pune NIV will provide a mobile lab similar to the one used during the previous Nipah incident. A 24-hour control room with a call centre has been established in Malappuram to coordinate preventive measures.

On Friday, the Health department was alerted about a suspected Nipah infection from the Kozhikode hospital. Immediate action was taken, including testing samples at Kerala laboratories and sending them to Pune NIV for confirmation. Even before receiving results from Pune NIV, precautionary measures were implemented according to Nipah protocols.

Symptoms and Public Advisory

Wayanad District Medical Officer P Dinish urged residents to remain vigilant as Nipah was confirmed in neighbouring Malappuram. All health centres have been instructed to enhance epidemic surveillance activities. The main symptoms of Nipah include fever, severe headache, fatigue, vomiting, weakness, fainting, and blurred vision. People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

The disease spreads through body fluids; hence, using masks can prevent transmission through coughing and sneezing. Avoid touching surfaces frequently and wash hands regularly with soap or sanitiser. Visits to sick individuals and travel to epidemic-prone areas should be avoided.

The Health department also advised against consuming fruits that are half-eaten or bitten by birds or animals. Fruits should be washed properly before consumption, and beverages like toddy stored in open containers should be avoided.

Previous Outbreaks and Surveillance

Nipah outbreaks have previously occurred in Kozhikode district in 2018, 2021, and 2023, as well as in Ernakulam district in 2019. Antibodies for the Nipah virus have been detected in bats across Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam districts. The state government recently announced that a special action calendar is being prepared to prevent future Nipah outbreaks.

The minister mentioned that contact tracing began on Saturday morning before receiving confirmation from NIV Pune. Currently, there are 214 people on the initial contact list, with 60 identified as high-risk contacts. The route map will be released soon.

The child is under treatment and on a ventilator. "The epicentre is Pandikkad," George stated, adding that precautionary measures are already underway. She urged locals near the epicentre and nearby hospitals to wear masks in public spaces and avoid visiting patients.

The Health department has also set up isolation rooms at Manjeri Medical College for those who came into contact with the infected boy. "A three-kilometre radius from Pandikkad will be strictly observed," George said.

The state government had initiated precautionary measures even before receiving test results from Pune NIV. These included isolating close contacts and tracing their movements among other steps.

Earlier tests from state labs returned positive results for Nipah infection but awaited confirmation from Pune NIV lab for final verification.