A second case of Nipah virus has been confirmed in Kerala’s Palakkad district, after a 58-year-old man from Kumaramputhur near Mannarkkad tested positive for the virus following his death at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna. The sample was tested at Manjeri Medical College, and further confirmation is awaited from the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

In response, the Kerala Health Department has placed six districts—Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Thrissur—on high alert. Hospitals in these districts have been directed to closely monitor patients presenting symptoms of fever or encephalitis resembling Nipah.

Health Minister Veena George stated that a contact list of the deceased has been prepared, and 46 individuals have been identified so far. Authorities have begun intensive contact tracing, collected CCTV footage, and developed a route map and family tree to track potential transmission.

“Field-level activities have been intensified, and fever surveillance is ongoing,” said Minister George. “We are also analyzing mobile tower location data for further contact tracing.”

The minister urged the public to avoid unnecessary hospital visits, particularly in Palakkad and Malappuram. She emphasized that only one person should accompany patients, and all hospital visitors—patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers—must wear masks.

🔴 Key Updates:

• Total Nipah contacts identified: 543
  • Palakkad: 219
  • Malappuram: 208
  • Kozhikode: 114
  • Ernakulam: 2
• New case contacts: 46
• Patients under treatment:
  • Malappuram: 10 (2 in ICU)
  • Palakkad: 1 (isolated)
• Samples tested negative in Malappuram: 62
• High-risk cases: 36
• Under observation (high-risk): 128

Minister George confirmed that ten people are currently being treated in Malappuram, with two in critical condition. One individual in Palakkad is under isolation.

She reiterated that vigilance must remain high, and health authorities must immediately report any fever or neurological symptoms consistent with Nipah infection.