Suspected Nipah death in Malappuram; preliminary test yields positive result

MALAPPURAM: It is suspected that a youth, who recently died in Vandur in Malappuram, died of Nipah. The youth, who was studying in Bengaluru, died last week while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna. Preliminary tests conducted in Kozhikode have yielded positive results. However, confirmation of Nipah virus infection as the cause of death can only be made after receiving the test results from the Virology Lab in Pune. The youth passed away on Monday.

The youth died while undergoing treatment for fever. Following some suspicions regarding the death, doctors sent the samples for testing in Kozhikode. Notably, a youth from Chembra in Pandikkad, Malappuram, had died of Nipah virus infection earlier. The current suspected Nipah case is within a 10-kilometre radius of the previous case. The Pandikkad resident had passed away two months ago due to a Nipah virus infection.

The Health Department itself has confirmed that Nipah has been confirmed in the test conducted in Kozhikode. In the new situation, an emergency meeting of the Health Department was held and officials have issued a high alert advisory. In the wake of the new development, contact tracing and further investigations will become necessary, which may heighten the level of alarm.

The youth had interacted closely with friends and relatives, thinking he was suffering from just a common fever. In this situation, the Health Department will have to take extensive measures, including stringent arrangements. The youth's home, the hospital where he initially sought medical attention, and other locations have been identified as having an extensive contact list. According to reports, the Health Department will designate these areas as containment zones.