Malappuram: A suspected Nipah virus death has been reported from Chembaram near Naduvath in Wandoor, Malappuram. The deceased, a 23-year-old student studying in Bengaluru, passed away on Monday at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna while undergoing treatment for symptoms consistent with the Nipah virus. According to reports, the preliminary lab tests conducted in Kozhikode showed positive results for the virus. However, official confirmation is still awaited from the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
The youth had recently returned to his hometown after suffering a leg injury and later developed a fever. He had initially sought treatment at a local clinic in Naduvath and subsequently visited another clinic in Wandoor as his condition worsened. Concerns over his symptoms led doctors to send samples for further testing.
P P Mohanan, the Naduvath ward member, stated that no official communication has yet been received regarding the suspected Nipah-related death. Meanwhile, a high-level meeting was convened at the Malappuram district collectorate to discuss precautionary measures and further action.
Notably, this suspected case comes within a 10-kilometre radius of another Nipah-related death that occurred two months ago in Pandikkad, Malappuram. Health authorities are now closely monitoring the situation, with heightened surveillance and containment measures expected in the region if the case is confirmed.
