Student dies from Nipah virus in Kerala; 151 under surveillance
Nipah virus is transmitted through fruit bats and animals such as pigs and can cause severe brain inflammation in humans
PTC Web Desk: A 24-year-old student in Kerala has succumbed to the Nipah virus, marking the second Nipah-related death in the state since July, according to local health officials. The victim, who had recently travelled from Bengaluru, began exhibiting fever symptoms on September 4 and passed away five days later. R Renuka, a district medical officer in Malappuram, confirmed that tests from the National Institute of Virology in Pune validated the Nipah infection on September 9.
In response, the health authorities are closely monitoring 151 persons who had direct contact with the deceased to prevent the virus's spread. Nipah, a pathogen prioritised by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its epidemic potential, is transmitted through fruit bats and animals such as pigs and can cause severe brain inflammation in humans. There is currently no vaccine or treatment available for Nipah.
The latest death follows a similar case involving a 14-year-old boy in Malappuram in July. Kerala, which has faced recurrent Nipah outbreaks since the virus was first detected in the state in 2018, remains a high-risk area for such infections, as highlighted by recent investigations.