12 June,2026 10:12 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
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The Central government has directed health authorities to strictly implement containment protocols following the detection of a fresh Nipah virus case in Keralam, as officials closely monitor the situation and assess the potential risk of further transmission.
The Centre is maintaining regular contact with the Keralam government and has advised state authorities to ensure that all standard operating procedures for surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and infection control are followed without delay, government sources told ANI.
The patient's sample has also been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for confirmatory testing.
Keralam Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said preliminary test results had indicated a Nipah virus infection, although final confirmation from the National Institute of Virology is still awaited.
"The results are positive. Test results from the Virology Institute are awaited," the minister told reporters on Thursday.
According to state health officials, the patient was initially admitted to Crescent Hospital in Kozhikode after developing a high fever. He was later shifted to another healthcare facility as his condition deteriorated.
Doctors reportedly began suspecting a Nipah infection after the fever persisted despite treatment and additional symptoms raised concerns about the viral disease.
The patient is currently receiving treatment on ventilator support, officials said.
The Keralam government has launched an extensive contact-tracing exercise to prevent the possible spread of the virus.
According to the Health Minister, authorities have identified 77 individuals who came into contact with the patient. These include 58 healthcare workers, 14 family members and five friends.
Officials said none of the identified contacts have shown symptoms of the disease so far. However, all individuals are being closely monitored as a precautionary measure.
Health teams have also intensified surveillance in the affected area and are conducting risk assessments to identify any additional contacts.
The state government has urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly during the period between May and September, which health authorities consider a high-risk season for Nipah virus transmission.
The minister advised people to avoid direct contact with bats and to report unusual bat activity to local authorities.
Public health officials have also encouraged residents to maintain hygiene precautions, avoid consuming fruits that may have been contaminated by bats and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, headache, respiratory distress or neurological complications.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that is primarily transmitted from animals to humans, most commonly through fruit bats, which are recognised as the natural reservoir of the virus.
Human infections can occur through direct contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated food products, or exposure to bodily fluids of infected individuals. The virus can also spread from person to person through close contact.
Symptoms can range from fever and respiratory illness to severe neurological complications, including encephalitis. In severe cases, the infection can be fatal.
Kerala has experienced several Nipah outbreaks over the past decade, prompting authorities to establish specialised surveillance and response mechanisms.
The state's health system has repeatedly activated rapid-response teams and containment measures whenever suspected cases have emerged.
Earlier this year, a nurse infected with the Nipah virus died following a cardiac arrest in West Bengal, marking one of the notable cases reported in the country in recent years.
With a fresh case now under investigation, both the Centre and the Kerala government have intensified monitoring efforts to ensure early detection of any additional infections.
Officials said containment measures, surveillance activities and public awareness campaigns have been strengthened as a precautionary step while health authorities await final confirmation from the National Institute of Virology.
The Centre has emphasised that strict adherence to established protocols remains critical to preventing further transmission and ensuring a swift public health response.
(With inputs from PTI)
