The Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala has prompted health authorities to include 175 individuals on a contact list, following a recent death attributed to the virus. Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed the development, highlighting the state’s ongoing efforts to manage and contain the outbreak.
Out of the 175 people identified, 74 are healthcare workers who may have been exposed to the virus. The contact list is divided into two categories: 126 individuals are on the primary contact list, with 104 classified as high-risk. An additional 49 people are categorized under secondary contact. Currently, ten individuals from the contact list are receiving medical treatment at Manjeri Medical College Hospital.
Minister George also indicated that 13 individuals are undergoing tests, with results pending. The outbreak’s most recent case involved a 24-year-old man who succumbed to the virus on September 9. This death marks the second fatality from the Nipah virus this year, with the first occurring on July 21, 2024.
Kerala has experienced several Nipah virus outbreaks since 2018, with previous cases identified in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam districts. The Nipah virus, which is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and through person-to-person contact, remains a significant health concern due to the absence of a vaccine or specialized treatment.
Sources By Agencies