One more Nipah virus case confirmed in Kerala, Karnataka boosts border surveillance

Kerala's Health Minister's office has confirmed yet another case of Nipah virus infection in Kozhikode. This revelation has intensified concerns about the ongoing Nipah virus outbreak in the state. Kerala's neighboring state, Karnataka, has swiftly responded to the situation by taking proactive measures to bolster surveillance in its bordering districts.

Kerala has now reported a total of six cases of Nipah virus, and unfortunately, two of these cases have resulted in fatalities. All of these cases have been concentrated in Kozhikode, raising alarm bells within the region.

According to information provided by the news agency ANI, the Karnataka government has issued a circular addressing the gravity of the situation. The circular highlights the presence of four confirmed Nipah cases and two deaths in Kozhikode, necessitating a ramp-up in surveillance efforts in the districts that share borders with Kerala.



The primary objective of these measures is to prevent the further spread of the infection into Karnataka. The circular specifically emphasizes the importance of curtailing unnecessary travel from Karnataka to the affected areas in Kerala.

As part of this strategy, the Karnataka government has decided to establish fever surveillance checkpoints at entry points from Karnataka to Kerala. Furthermore, they are set to intensify fever surveillance activities in the bordering districts, which include Chamarajanagar, Mysore, Kodaga, and Dakshin Kannada.

The Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune dispatched a mobile Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory to Kozhikode. This move aimed to expedite the testing of virus samples within the district itself. This decision came after Kozhikode reported five cases of Nipah infection, tragically resulting in two deaths.

The initial test results from the 11 samples sent for examination have come back negative for the Nipah virus. A government source confirmed these reassuring results, offering some respite to the state government and its concerned residents. This news comes as a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing challenges posed by the virus.

Kerala's Health Minister, Veena George, has disclosed that discussions took place with a central expert committee. The focus of these discussions likely centers around the stability and effectiveness of antiviral medications in managing Nipah virus cases within the state. The state authorities are diligently exploring all possible avenues to combat this outbreak and ensure the safety of the public.

(With inputs from agencies)