Authorities in Kerala are taking preventive steps after the death of a 14-year-old boy from the Nipah virus and the identification of 60 persons in the high-risk category, the state’s health minister said on Sunday.
Parts of Kerala are among those most at risk globally for outbreaks of the virus, a Reuters investigation showed last year. Nipah, which comes from fruit bats and animals such as pigs, can cause a lethal, brain-swelling fever in humans. #NipahVirusKerala
Nipah is classified as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) because of its potential to trigger an epidemic. There is no vaccine to prevent infection and no treatment to cure it.
“The infected boy died on Sunday after a cardiac arrest,” Veena George, the state health minister told local TV reporters.
On Saturday, she announced that the government issued orders to set up 25 committees for Nipah control. These committees will identify and isolate affected individuals.
Dr. Anoop Kumar from Aster MIMS Hospital reported a positive Nipah case in a school-going boy. Authorities are monitoring individuals who had contact with him. #NipahVirusKerala
He stated that there is a minimal chance of a Nipah virus outbreak at this stage. The situation will be monitored over the next 7-10 days.
There are 214 people on the primary contact list of the boy, the statement said. Among them, 60 are in the high-risk category, it said, and isolation wards have been set up at health institutions to treat patients.
Consequently, Nipah virus Kerala has become a major concern for health officials. They are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further cases.
