New Delhi: Keralas Health Minister, Veena George, has confirmed that 175 individuals from Malappuram district are currently being monitored following the recent Nipah virus outbreak. This announcement was made during a press briefing and reported by the news agency ANI. Of the 175 people in the contact list, 74 are healthcare workers who had direct or indirect interaction with the confirmed Nipah virus cases.The contact list is further divided into primary and secondary contacts, with 126 individuals identified as primary contacts. Among these, 104 are classified as high-risk, while 49 others fall under the secondary contact category. Currently, ten individuals from the list are receiving medical care at Manjeri Medical College Hospital. Additionally, the health minister stated that 13 people are being tested for the virus, and their results are awaited. Two deaths in 2024 due to Nipah VirusOn September 9, a 24-year-old man died after contracting the Nipah virus, marking the second death in Kerala this year from the virus. Kerala first reported a Nipah-related death earlier on July 21, 2024. The state has experienced multiple outbreaks of the Nipah virus since 2018, making it a recurring public health concern. According to a PTI report, antibodies to the Nipah virus have been found in bats from several districts, including Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam. Fruit bats, the natural hosts of the Nipah virus, can transmit the virus to humans, after which person-to-person transmission becomes possible.Containment measures in MalappuramIn response to the outbreak, Keralas health ministry has declared five wards in Malappuram district as containment zones. These areas will be subject to strict restrictions, including the closure of all shops by 7 PM. Public spaces such as schools, cinema halls, colleges, Madrassas, anganwadis, and tuition centers will remain closed to limit gatherings.The public has been advised to avoid mass gatherings and to wear masks in public spaces. Restrictions on the number of attendees at weddings, funerals, and other events have also been implemented to control the spread of the virus.Global health concernThe Nipah virus is listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its potential to cause widespread epidemics. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment available for the Nipah virus, making containment and prevention essential to curbing its spread.
