A 38-year-old woman from Kerala has tested positive for the Nipah virus, health officials confirmed on Thursday. The case was reported in Palakkad district, raising fresh concerns about the spread of the virus. Authorities are now taking urgent steps to control the situation and trace contacts.
The woman, a resident of Nattukkal in Thachanattukara panchayat, is being treated at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna, located in the neighboring Malappuram district. Her test samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, which confirmed the infection.
According to local authorities, a contact list has already been prepared. Surveillance in the area has been increased. Ward 8 of the panchayat has been declared a containment zone. Other nearby areas within a three-kilometer radius have also been partially restricted.
Officials are also investigating the recent death of an 18-year-old woman from Makkaraparambu, Malappuram. She died on July 1 from complications linked to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. Her symptoms were similar to those seen in Nipah cases, and her test results from NIV Pune are awaited.
Health minister Veena George confirmed that 345 people who had contact with the two patients are now under observation. Among them, 211 are in Malappuram, 91 in Palakkad, and 43 in Kozhikode. All those identified in Kozhikode are healthcare workers.
The government has activated strict Nipah virus protocols in the affected areas. Twenty-six teams have been formed in each district to trace contacts, monitor symptoms, and spread awareness. Health workers have also been asked to investigate any recent unusual or unexplained deaths, which could point to further cases.
The Nipah virus is known to spread from animals to humans. Fruit bats, also called flying foxes, are the natural carriers. The virus can spread through direct contact with infected animals or humans. It causes symptoms such as fever, sore throat, vomiting, cough, headache, and confusion. In severe cases, it can lead to brain swelling. The death rate is high, ranging from 40 to 75 percent.
Kerala has seen several outbreaks of the Nipah virus in recent years. In 2018, the first major outbreak claimed 17 lives. The next year saw one infection, but the patient survived. In 2021, a 12-year-old boy died of the disease. In 2023, eight people tested positive, and two of them died. The rest recovered. Two more deaths were reported in 2024. In May this year, a 42-year-old woman tested positive but later recovered.
The health department is urging residents to follow safety guidelines. People living in containment zones have been asked to stay indoors and report symptoms like fever or vomiting immediately. Those who came in contact with the infected individuals are being closely monitored.
Efforts are underway to stop further spread of the virus. The public has been advised to avoid contact with sick animals, especially bats and pigs, and to follow hygiene rules. Health experts also stress the importance of early detection and isolation to prevent outbreaks.
As health teams work around the clock, people are reminded to stay alert and cooperate with local officials. For more updates on the Nipah virus outbreak, authorities recommend checking official health bulletins and following verified sources.
