Indian Confirms Death Of Nipah Virus Patient

7/21/2024 7:14:30 PM

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NEW DELHI, July 21 (KUNA) -- Indian health authorities on Sunday announced Sunday that a Nipah virus patient died in the state of Kerala and ordered immediate public health measures to contain spread of the deadly virus.
The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram in Kerala died after he was admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna and later to a higher health center in Kozhikode after developing symptoms of Nipah virus infection.
The federal government advised the state government to take immediate public health measures including active case search in the family of the boy whose infection was confirmed, his neighborhood, and nearby areas.
It also asked to trace active contact during past 12 days and suggested strict quarantine of the contacts and isolation of any suspects in addition to collection of samples for lab testing.
A joint outbreak response team from the federal Health Ministry will be dispatched to support the state government in investigating the case and providing technical assistance.
Kerala had reported Nipah Virus Disease in the past, with the most recent one being in 2023 in Kozhikode.
Fruit bats are considered the natural host of the deadly virus which affects both animals and humans. The virus shows symptoms of the disease similar to influenza such as high body temperature and headache.
It was first detected in Malaysia in 1998 and Bangladesh and Singapore had witnessed Nipah virus outbreaks in the past. (end)
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