77 people on contact list of Nipah-infected person, 11 in home quarantine; control room opened in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: The Health Department has intensified preventive measures after a fresh Nipah virus case was confirmed in Kozhikode district. Authorities have prepared a contact list of 77 people linked to the infected person. The contact list includes 58 healthcare workers and 14 family members. Among those identified, two have been classified as highest-risk contacts, 13 as high-risk contacts, and 63 as low-risk contacts.

Health officials have directed 11 people in the high-risk category to remain under strict home quarantine. None of the people on the contact list has shown symptoms of the disease so far. Testing will be conducted only for those who develop symptoms. The Health Department is expected to release a route map detailing the movements of the infected person. Officials are currently examining two possible sources of infection.

According to preliminary assessments, the chances of the virus spreading from the warehouse where the patient worked are very low. Health authorities are giving more importance to the possibility that the infection was contracted through chikoo fruits eaten from the patient's home premises. The fruits may have been partially eaten by bats, which are known carriers of the Nipah virus. Authorities informed that currently there is no need for people to panic and that maintaining vigilance is sufficient

The infected person is a native of Feroke and works as a cleaner. Reports indicate that he had recently been involved in cleaning an old building in the area. He initially sought treatment at a private hospital for health issues and was later discharged. Subsequently, he experienced a loss of consciousness. As he was known to consume alcohol, his condition was initially suspected to be related to withdrawal syndrome. He was reportedly taken to a de-addiction centre before the Nipah infection was confirmed.