Minor Boy Dies Of Nipah Virus In Kerala, Health Ministry Suspects Bat-Contaminated Fruit

National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has confirmed that the death of a 14-year-old boy from Kerala's Mallapuram was due to Nipah virus infection.

The boy exhibited AES symptoms and was admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna before being transferred to a higher health center in Kozhikode. However, the patient succumbed to the disease today (21 July).

Taking note of the incident, the Centre has advised the Kerala government to search active cases in the family of the confirmed case, the neighborhood, and areas with similar topography.

"Active contact tracing (for any contacts) during past 12 days; Strict quarantine of the contacts of the case and isolation of any suspects; Collection and transportation of samples for lab testing," are part of the advisory.

"A multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National ‘One Health Mission’ of the Union Health Ministry will be deployed to support the State in investigating the case," the Centre's press release said.

"ICMR had sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management, and a mobile BSL-3 laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts has arrived in Kozhikode. The Monoclonal Antibodies had reached before the patient died but could not be used due to his poor general condition," it added.

Recalling that Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) has been reported in Kerala in the past, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district, the Centre suspects fruit bats as the reason for the virus spread.

"Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus, and humans can become infected by accidentally consuming bat-contaminated fruits," the release said adding that the Centre will help in identifying epidemiological linkages and providing technical assistance.