Idukki teen dies of West Nile fever, just two months after successful kidney transplant

CHERUTHONI: A youngster who was undergoing treatment after a kidney transplant surgery, died on Monday due to West Nile fever. Vijayakumar (24), a resident of Maniyarankudy is the deceased. He died on the 17th while undergoing treatment at the Idukki Medical College.

It was during February that Vijayakumar underwent a kidney transplant at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. His grandmother turned out to be his donor and the surgery was successful. It was with the help of locals that Vijayakumar amassed Rs 15 lakh to complete the treatment. The kidney transplant surgery done in Kozhikode was successful. However, after one month, Vijayakumar experienced drowsiness and one day lost consciousness. In the inspection by doctors, a brain infection was detected. He was later moved to the ICU of the Kozhikode Medical College.

After treatment, Vijayakumar returned home but fell ill just one week ago. He was then shifted to the intensive care unit of Idukki Medical College Hospital. About 80 per cent of people who contract West Nile fever initially show no symptoms in the early stages. The disease gets detected only after the situation of the patient turns worse.