Nipah cases in West Bengal raise concerns in Kerala; surveillance stepped up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Concerns are rising in Kerala following the confirmation of Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, as a large number of migrant workers travelling to the state are from Bengal. With thousands of workers moving between Kerala and Bengal on a regular basis, health authorities say it is essential to strengthen preventive and surveillance measures.

Two Nipah cases have been confirmed in the Nadia district of West Bengal. In response, several Asian countries have issued strict health alerts. East Asian nations that had reported Nipah infections in the past have tightened surveillance. Passengers arriving by air in countries including Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are being screened. Singapore has also made temperature checks mandatory for travellers arriving from India.

Nipah is a highly deadly virus that affects both humans and animals, and is mainly transmitted to humans through bats and pigs. Kerala reported its first major Nipah outbreak in 2018, when 17 people died in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The outbreak was brought under control through strict containment measures, and the state remained on high alert for nearly one and a half months.

Although sporadic Nipah cases have been reported in Kerala in subsequent years, the state has so far succeeded in preventing widespread transmission through effective treatment protocols and strong preventive strategies.