Nipah virus infection reported in Kerala’s Kozhikode, 77 contacts identified

A 43-year-old man has tested positive for the Nipah virus in Kozhikode, Kerala. The state health department has quarantined 15 high-risk contacts out of 77 identified individuals and established emergency surveillance protocols across the district

Kozhikode/Thiruvananthapuram: A Nipah virus infection case has been confirmed in Kozhikode district, prompting the administration to initiate preventive measures on Thursday.

The sample test result from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, confirmed the infection in a 43-year-old man from Ramanattukara, Kozhikode District Collector M S Madhavikutty said.

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A government press release said the patient is undergoing treatment in the ICU of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the patient’s condition was stable, though he remained on ventilator support.

According to Madhavikutty, 77 people have been identified in the contact list of the infected individual.

Of these, 58 are healthcare workers, 14 are family members, and five are friends and colleagues.

None of the contacts has reported any symptoms so far, the statement said.

Of the 77 contacts, two have been classified in the highest-risk category, 13 in the high-risk category, and 62 in the low-risk category.

All those in the highest-risk and high-risk categories have been placed under quarantine, the statement said.

The patient’s route map has also been prepared, the collector said.

Field-level containment and surveillance activities have already commenced.

Rapid Response Team meetings were held in Ramanattukara municipality on Wednesday and Thursday as part of preparedness measures, the collector said.

Personal protective equipment, such as PPE kits, gloves, and masks, has been made available, and steps have been initiated to ensure the availability of medicines as a precautionary measure, the collector said.

A control room has been opened at the district medical office to provide information and address public queries regarding the disease.

The contact numbers are 0495-2373901 and 9072007767.

A document on the Kerala Directorate of Health Services website states that the Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus capable of transmission between animals and humans.

Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoir of the Nipah virus. The virus can also cause illness in pigs and humans.

“Infection with NiV is associated with encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and can cause mild to severe illness and even death. Outbreaks occur almost annually in parts of Asia, primarily Bangladesh and India,” it said.

The document states that Nipah virus infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with sick pigs and bats, and by not consuming raw date palm sap, which may be contaminated.

It adds that standard infection-control practices can help prevent transmission in hospitals during outbreaks.

Muraleedharan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the matter had been reported to the Centre.

“They can come and examine the situation if required. We have taken all possible medical precautions in the case,” he said.

The minister said that since May 10, the patient had visited multiple health institutions in the district and undergone MRI and echocardiography tests.

According to him, the patient initially developed a fever that subsided but later returned, prompting hospitalisation.

Muraleedharan chaired a high-level review meeting attended by the principal secretary, director of health services, director of medical education, Kozhikode district collector, and the principal and superintendent of Kozhikode Medical College.

“The district collector informed the meeting that there is currently no requirement to declare containment zones. Availability of all required medicines is being ensured,” he said.

Referring to the recurring incidence of Nipah infections in Kerala, the minister said recent studies indicate that people need to be particularly vigilant between May and September, which is considered the mating season of fruit bats.

“Bats flapping their wings and their droppings can contribute to the spread of the virus. People who notice bats in their houses should inform the authorities instead of pelting stones at them,” he said.

Muraleedharan said further studies were being conducted to understand the transmission pattern of the virus.

“Although Nipah cases are being reported almost every year, the state experienced significant outbreaks only in 2018 and 2022,” he said.

The minister said the infected man had recently rented a godown and cleaned it himself.

“At that time, bat droppings and remains were present there,” he said, indicating a possible source of infection.

He said there was no shortage of medicines required for treatment and containment measures.

“More medicines will arrive on Friday. One of the medicines required for treatment, which has to be imported, is available in Chennai. Steps have been taken to bring it here by tomorrow,” he said.