Kerala Health Minister Veena George called a high-level meeting in Malappuram district on Saturday following reports of a potential Nipah virus case in the state. Officials confirmed that samples from the suspected patient were dispatched to the Pune virology lab. Earlier in the month, Minister George had declared enhanced Nipah prevention strategies, especially during the peak transmission period from May to September. She underscored the need for stringent precautions and detailed several preventive actions.
Minister George advised against disrupting bat habitats, warning that such actions could elevate the risk of virus transmission. She also cautioned against consuming fruits bitten by birds or drinking honey from banana peels, both potential vectors for bat contamination. Emphasizing hygiene, she recommended thorough handwashing with soap and water after contact with bats, their waste, or chewed objects. She highlighted the importance of educating children to foster community-wide awareness and safety.
The meeting addressed the implementation of preventive measures, reviewed the current outbreak status, and assessed the steps taken thus far. Government committees have been established to manage the execution of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Nipah virus control. Key attendees included the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the Director of the National Health Mission, and the District Collectors of Malappuram and Kozhikode.
The Nipah virus, which can cause severe illness and death in humans, was first identified in a 2018 outbreak in Kozhikode district, resulting in 17 fatalities and 18 confirmed cases by June 1, 2018. This outbreak in Kozhikode and Malappuram marked the third Nipah virus outbreak in India, following incidents in 2001 and 2007 in West Bengal.
