Health officials in Kerala are on high alert following the confirmation of a Nipah virus case in a 42-year-old woman from Valanchery, Malappuram district. The state health department has identified 58 individuals who had contact with the patient, and among them, 13 have been tested so far — all of whom returned negative results. However, the investigation is ongoing, with the source of the infection yet to be identified.
To trace the origin of the virus, a joint outbreak investigation has been launched. Fever surveillance has begun in Valanchery, and health officials are actively monitoring the areas the patient visited. As per the patient’s route map, she first showed symptoms on April 25 and sought treatment at a local clinic on April 26, followed by a visit to a block family health center on April 28. CCTV footage from these locations is being examined as part of the investigation.
Health Minister Veena George confirmed that the patient remains in critical condition. In a related development, the pet cat in the patient’s household has died, prompting concerns about possible cross-species transmission. Samples from the area have been sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal for analysis. Of the 58 on the contact list, 45 are considered high-risk, including 12 from the patient’s immediate household.
