Thiruvananthapuram — Kerala has once again sounded the alarm on Nipah virus after the death of a 58-year-old man in the Kumaramputhur area of Palakkad district. The state’s health department confirmed on Monday that the cause of death was indeed the deadly Nipah virus, following test results received from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. This marks the second confirmed Nipah-related fatality in the district, triggering urgent containment and surveillance measures across six districts.
According to officials, the deceased had been undergoing treatment for fever and related symptoms, but his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his demise on Saturday night. Health authorities, anticipating the possibility of Nipah, had already sent samples to the NIV. Upon confirmation, state health teams intensified surveillance and tracing operations in and around the area.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that a detailed contact list and movement map of the deceased had been prepared. So far, 46 individuals who were in close contact with the victim over the past three weeks have been identified and placed under observation. Surveillance footage is also being examined to track all points of contact and possible transmission.
Health workers have expanded door-to-door screenings in Kumaramputhur and adjoining areas. Teams are educating residents on preventive measures and symptoms, while also checking for any possible infections. George emphasized that the state is scaling up its response to ensure that the outbreak is swiftly contained. She urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement, especially in high-risk districts like Palakkad and Malappuram.
Hospitals in these areas have also been instructed to limit crowds and enforce strict infection control measures. Visitors, caregivers, and medical personnel are now required to wear face masks at all times within medical premises.
As of now, 543 individuals across the state are under medical surveillance — 219 in Palakkad, 208 in Malappuram, 114 in Kozhikode, and 2 in Ernakulam. In a precautionary move, the districts of Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kannur, and Wayanad have also been placed on high alert, with health officials monitoring any sign of community spread.
This is Kerala’s sixth confirmed Nipah case in the past year. Previous fatalities include a 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad in July 2024 and a 24-year-old man from Wandur in September 2024. The current incident underscores the continuing threat posed by the virus in the region.
Health authorities continue to appeal for calm while stressing the importance of early reporting of symptoms, strict adherence to safety guidelines, and limiting movement in affected zones. The state government is also coordinating with the central health ministry to prevent a wider outbreak of the highly fatal virus.
