Kerala confirms Nipah virus infection in 14-year-old boy, locals advised to use face masks

Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district has tested positive for Nipah virus. The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, confirmed the infection. The boy is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital and is on ventilator support.

“He is being shifted to the government medical college in Kozhikode. Contact tracing has started. High-risk contacts have already been isolated and their samples have been sent for testing,” the health minister said.

She also stated that the epicentre of the disease is Pandikkad and precautionary measures have been taken. Residents near the epicentre and nearby hospitals are advised to wear masks in public and avoid visiting patients.

The Kerala government recently announced that a special action plan is being developed to prevent a Nipah outbreak.

Nipah outbreaks occurred in Kozhikode district in 2018, 2021 and 2023, and in Ernakulam district in 2019. Antibodies to the Nipah virus have also been detected in bats in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts.