Travelling to Kerala from UAE? Nipah virus triggers high alert

UAE travellers to Kerala urged to stay alert and follow local health advisories

Last updated:
Lekshmy Pavithran, Assistant Online Editor
3 MIN READ
Planning Kerala travel from UAE? Stay alert as deadly Nipah virus resurfaces
Planning Kerala travel from UAE? Stay alert as deadly Nipah virus resurfaces
AP file

Dubai: Health authorities in Kerala have issued a high alert in the districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad after two suspected cases of the deadly Nipah virus were reported. UAE residents planning to travel to these areas are advised to exercise caution and stay updated on local health advisories.

An 18-year-old woman from Malappuram has died after testing positive for Nipah, while a 39-year-old woman from Palakkad is critically ill and on ventilator support. Over 100 people have been identified as high-risk contacts, and containment zones have been declared in parts of Palakkad. Another woman from Malappuram showing similar symptoms is undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital.

Authorities have intensified surveillance, deployed rapid response teams, and activated Nipah protocols across hospitals. Travellers are urged to avoid contact with bats, and sick individuals, and to steer clear of raw fruits or palm sap that may be contaminated.

Containment zones declared in Palakkad

As a precautionary measure, several wards in Thachanattukara and Karimbuzha panchayats in Palakkad district have been declared containment zones.

To tackle the suspected outbreak, 26 rapid response teams have been deployed in each of the three affected districts — Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad. These teams are tasked with contact tracing, symptom monitoring, and public awareness initiatives. Police have been roped in to assist in identifying and tracking those potentially exposed.

Preventive measures stepped up

Health Minister Veena George chaired an emergency meeting and confirmed that all preventive measures under the Nipah protocol have been intensified. All hospitals have been alerted, and surveillance efforts have been ramped up.

Health officials have also been instructed to investigate any recent cases of unexplained or unnatural deaths, which could serve as early indicators of an outbreak. Another high-level review meeting is scheduled later today to assess the evolving situation and coordinate further response efforts.

UAE travellers to Kerala should:

  • Avoid travel to containment zones

  • Practice strict hygiene and avoid raw or unwashed fruit

  • Monitor their health during and after travel

  • Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear

For updates, follow advisories from the Kerala Health Department or Indian Embassy in the UAE.

What is Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus (NiV) is a deadly zoonotic virus that spreads from animals (mainly fruit bats and pigs) to humans and can also transmit from person to person. First identified in 1999 in Malaysia, it causes outbreaks almost annually in parts of Asia, especially Bangladesh and India.

How it spreads

  • Direct contact with infected animals (bats, pigs, etc.)

  • Consuming contaminated food or drinks (like raw date palm sap)

  • Close contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals

  • Through respiratory droplets (airborne transmission is possible)

Symptoms

  • Initial: Fever, headache, cough, sore throat, vomiting, muscle pain
    Severe: Encephalitis (brain inflammation), confusion, seizures, coma
    Symptoms appear 4–14 days after exposure.

Complications

  • Death rate ranges from 40% to 75%

  • Long-term issues include seizures, personality changes, and relapses

  • Some people remain symptom-free but carry the virus

Diagnosis

  • Early diagnosis: RT-PCR tests using throat/nasal swabs, CSF, urine, or blood

  • Later stages: ELISA tests for antibodies

Treatment

No specific antiviral treatment or vaccine exists. Care is supportive:

  • Hydration, rest, fever control

  • Medications for nausea, seizures, and breathing issues

  • Experimental monoclonal antibody treatments are under study

Prevention

  • Avoid contact with bats and their secretions

  • Do not consume raw date palm sap or soiled fruit

  • Practice hygiene and wear protective gear around infected patients

  • Monitor symptoms after visiting high-risk areas

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