A 38-year-old woman from Thachanattukara in north Kerala’s Palakkad district continues to remain in critical condition after testing positive for the Nipah virus, according to state health minister Veena George. She is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College, Kozhikode.
“This is the first confirmed Nipah case in Palakkad. The patient remains in a critical state, but we are providing all possible medical support,” the minister told reporters following a high-level review meeting.
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Administered
Health officials administered the monoclonal antibody treatment, in line with national treatment protocols. The second dose was given on Monday morning, the minister confirmed.
Containment Zone and Contact Tracing in Full Swing
Authorities have declared a three-kilometre radius around the patient’s residence a containment zone. The district police chief and district collector are overseeing round-the-clock surveillance to prevent further spread.
Minister Veena George reported that 173 contacts of the infected woman have been identified:
- 100 primary contacts
- 73 secondary contacts
Among them, 52 individuals fall under high-risk and 48 under low-risk categories.
So far, five samples have tested negative, and four more samples are being tested at Manjeri Medical College.
Rising Concerns After Malappuram Fatality
As reported by hindustantimes, the situation gained urgency after an 18-year-old girl from Chettiyarangadi in Malappuram succumbed to the virus last Saturday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. Her infection was later confirmed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.
Strict Measures Against Misinformation
Following the review meeting at Palakkad Medical College, attended by the district collector, police chief, and senior health officials, the health minister warned against the spread of false information regarding the outbreak and stated that strict action will be taken against offenders.
Understanding Nipah Virus: A Serious Zoonotic Threat
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, transmitted from animals to humans. It can also spread via contaminated food or person-to-person contact.
The virus leads to a range of health issues, from asymptomatic cases to acute respiratory infections and even fatal encephalitis. Nipah also affects animals like pigs, causing significant economic damage to livestock farmers.
Vigilance Continues Across Districts
As the health department tracks contacts and monitors high-risk zones, three Kerala districts remain on alert. Health authorities urge the public to follow safety guidelines and rely only on verified information from official sources.