14-year-old boy testing positive for Nipah dies in Kozhikode, alert issued

MALAPPURAM: The 14-year-old boy of Malappuram, who tested positive for Nipah and was in a critical condition, has died. He was undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The boy from Chembrassery in Pandikkad Panchayat, Malappuram died Sunday afternoon. The boy died at a time when the medicine monoclonal antibody was about to be delivered to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital today. He The boy was studying in the ninth class. Health Minister Veena George said further steps will be taken according to the protocol and the time of his cremation will be decided after discussing with his family. The boy suffered a heart attack at 10.50 and his death was confirmed at 11.30 am.

How he contracted the virus has not been confirmed. The boy had eaten hog plum (ambazhanga), the fruit a few days ago. The boy who got fever on July 10 was taken to a private clinic in Pandikkad on July 12 and then to a private hospital on July 13. He was admitted in the same hospital on July 15. He was later shifted to a private hospital in Perinthalmanna on the night of July 19.

The boy was confirmed of the virus in the samples collected here. He was shifted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital last night. There are presently 246 people in the contact list. 63 of them are in the high-risk category. An alert has been issued within three kilometres of the panchayat where the disease has been confirmed. A decision has been taken to close all educational institutions in the panchayat. The public has been asked to wear masks.

Strict restrictions have been imposed in Pandikkad panchayat. Gathering of people is prohibited. A maximum of 50 people is allowed for events including weddings and receptions. Anakkayam Panchayat, which includes the school attended by the boy, will also be subjected to restrictions.