Nipah claimed 21 lives in Kerala so far

Monday 22 July, 2024 | 1:22 AM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

The deadly Nipah virus has claimed 21 lives in Kerala so far. The 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad in Malappuram who died while undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College was the last one who died due to Nipah. All 20 Nipah-related deaths happened in the Kozhikode district. While 17 Nipah-related deaths were reported in 2018, one death was reported in 2021. Two people died of Nipah in 2023. The first victim of Nipah in the state was Muhammad Sabith, a native of Perambra. The death of nurse Lini, who got infected while treating Sabit, left the entire Kerala in a state of grief. The new case of Nipah infection was reported unexpectedly at a time when the government and doctors were extremely cautious by taking strict preventive measures against the Nipah virus.

2018 May 5: Death of Perambra native Muhammad Sabith
2018 May 18: Death of Sabith's brother Salih
2018 May 19: Salih's samples tested positive for Nipah
2018 May 21: Death of nurse Lini
2018 July 1: Kozhikode was declared Nipah free
2021 September 4: Samples of Chaathamangalam native Mohammed Hashim tested positive for Nipah
2021 September 5: Mohammed Hashim died
2023 August 30: Death of Maruthonkara native Muhammad Ali
2023 September 11: Death of Ayancheri native Haris
2023 September 12: Samples of Haris and Muhammad Ali tested positive for Nipah
2024 July 21: Death of 14-year-old boy hailing from Pandikkad