Kerala health authorities are on high alert in the districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad, following the identification of two suspected cases of Nipah virus. These suspected cases were detected during routine testing at government medical colleges in Kozhikode and Malappuram. Samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation.
In response to these potential cases, the Kerala Health Minister, Veena George, convened an emergency meeting and has activated Nipah protocols across the affected districts. Twenty-six special teams have been formed in each district to conduct contact tracing, monitor symptoms, and provide public information. Authorities are also seeking police assistance to identify and isolate individuals who may have had contact with the suspected patients, and containment zones are being prepared under the supervision of district collectors. Helplines are being established to assist the public, and awareness campaigns are being conducted through loudspeaker announcements and media outreach to inform people about symptoms and preventive measures.
One confirmed case involves a 38-year-old woman from Thachanattukara in Palakkad district who is currently receiving ventilator support in critical condition at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna. The NIV Pune has confirmed her infection. The other suspected case involves an 18-year-old girl from Mankada in Malappuram district who was being treated for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and died on July 1st in Kozhikode. Her final test results are still awaited. Following the girl's death and positive test, doctors and healthcare personnel who treated her, as well as those who conducted the post-mortem examination, have been quarantined.
This is not the first time Kerala has faced Nipah outbreaks. The state has witnessed outbreaks in 2018 and 2021, which resulted in fatalities and extensive containment measures. In May 2025, a 42-year-old woman from Valancherry in Malappuram district was admitted to a private hospital in Perinthalmanna after testing positive for the virus. She survived but is still recovering.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can spread from animals to humans, and also between people. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Nipah as a priority pathogen due to its epidemic potential and severe impact on human health. Human infections can range from asymptomatic to acute respiratory infection, seizures, and fatal encephalitis. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat. These symptoms can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs indicating acute encephalitis. Some individuals may also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and seizures can occur in severe cases, potentially leading to a coma within 24 to 48 hours. The incubation period ranges from 4 to 14 days, although longer periods have been reported. The case fatality rate is estimated between 40% and 75% but can vary depending on the outbreak and the quality of clinical management.
Prevention measures include avoiding contact with bats and sick pigs, washing hands frequently, maintaining social distancing from infected individuals, and avoiding consumption of raw palm sap and fruits with bat bites. The WHO notes that human-to-human transmission has been reported among family members and caregivers of infected patients.
Currently, there are no specific drugs or vaccines available for Nipah virus infection. Treatment focuses on supportive care. The rapid implementation of preventive measures and surveillance is crucial to manage the situation and prevent further spread of the virus.
