New Delhi: Health officials in Kerala are on high alert following a suspected Nipah virus outbreak in the northern Malappuram district. On Friday, a 14-year-old boy displaying symptoms of the zoonotic virus was admitted to a private hospital in Kozhikode. His samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation. According to reports, the boys condition is stable and he is receiving treatment as per established protocols.Kerala health minister convenes emergency meetingKerala Health Minister Veena George held an emergency meeting on Saturday with top health officials to discuss measures to prevent a potential outbreak. This high-level meeting included the health secretary, the state director of the National Health Mission and district collectors from Kozhikode and Malappuram.Earlier Nipah outbreaks in KeralaKerala has experienced four Nipah outbreaks in recent years. The first outbreak in 2018 resulted in 17 fatalities. Subsequent outbreaks occurred in 2019, 2021 and in 2023, when two patients succumbed to the virus. Given this history, the state is particularly vigilant in addressing potential outbreaks.State govt formulates SOPsA statement from Minister Georges office indicated that although the test results from NIV are still awaited, preventive measures are already in place. The actions would be coordinated according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) formulated as per the government order with regard to Nipah prevention, the statement read.Public health advisory issuedMinister Veena George has issued a public advisory urging residents to avoid destroying bat habitats, as disturbing these habitats could elevate the risk of virus transmission. She advised against consuming fruits with bite marks or honey from banana peels and emphasized maintaining proper hygiene when in contact with bats.We must all be vigilant and proactive in our efforts to prevent the spread of Nipah. By following these guidelines, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones, said Minister George.
