MALAPPURAM – A new case of Nipah virus has been confirmed in Kerala's Malappuram district, health officials said on Wednesday, raising fresh public health concerns in the region.
State Health Minister Veena George confirmed that a 42-year-old woman from Valanchery has tested positive for the virus. She is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Perinthalmanna.
The woman reportedly had a persistent fever for over a week, followed by cough and breathing difficulties. Her samples were first tested at the Kozhikode Microbiology Lab and then sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, where the infection was confirmed.
This marks the third confirmed case of Nipah in Malappuram, complicating containment efforts as the source of infection remains unidentified, making contact tracing more difficult.
Previous Incidents
- In 2024, a 14-year-old boy tested positive for Nipah in Malappuram.
- An outbreak in August 2023 claimed two lives and infected four others in the state.
About Nipah Virus
Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted from animals to humans, and also human-to-human or via contaminated food. It can lead to severe respiratory infections or fatal encephalitis.
According to the World Health Organization, the virus has a case fatality rate between 40% and 75%, depending on clinical response. Currently, no vaccine or specific treatment exists, and only supportive care is available.
