Nipah virus strikes again in Kerala, woman tests positive in Malappuram

A 42-year-old woman from Malappuram district in Kerala has tested positive for the Nipah virus, raising fresh concerns about the recurring threat of the deadly zoonotic disease in the region. The confirmation came on Thursday after a series of tests, officials confirmed.

The woman had been exhibiting fever and Nipah-like symptoms for several days. Initial tests conducted at a government lab in Kozhikode returned negative results. However, with no improvement in her condition, a third test was conducted and later confirmed by the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

The woman is currently in isolation at a hospital in Perinthalmanna.

Authorities are now in the process of tracing her contacts and assessing potential sources of infection.

Two of her close family members had recently recovered from prolonged fevers, and the recent death of their pet dog has added to the urgency of the investigation.

Officials are preparing a detailed response protocol for the locality.

Malappuram and neighbouring districts have been grappling with recurring Nipah outbreaks since 2018, when 18 lives were lost during the first known outbreak in South India.

In 2024, two young patients succumbed to the virus, prompting heightened surveillance measures in the region.

The Nipah virus, a zoonotic disease often transmitted by fruit bats, poses serious public health risks due to its high mortality rate and lack of a vaccine or definitive treatment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus can spread through contaminated food or close human contact, causing symptoms ranging from mild flu to fatal encephalitis.