India’s southern state of Kerala is grappling with the resurgence of the deadly Nipah virus, which has already claimed two lives and infected three more individuals. This marks the fourth outbreak in the state since 2018, highlighting the persistent threat posed by this lethal virus.
The Nipah virus, for which there is currently no vaccine, spreads through contact with the body fluids of infected bats, pigs, or people, with a mortality rate of up to 75% among those infected.
Health authorities and experts have swiftly mobilized to combat the outbreak. “We are testing human beings… and at the same time, experts are collecting fluid samples from forested areas that could be the hotspot for the spread,” stated Veena George, Kerala’s Health Minister.
These samples include bat urine, animal droppings, and partially consumed fruit, all collected from Maruthonkara village, where the first victim resided. This village is adjacent to a sprawling 300-acre forest inhabited by several bat species. Fruit bats from this area had previously tested positive for the Nipah virus during the state’s first outbreak in 2018.
“We are in a stage of hypervigilance and detection,” emphasized Minister George, revealing that 77 individuals have been identified as high-risk for infection.
In the last 48 hours, nearly 800 people have been tested in the Kozhikode district. Two adults and a child who tested positive have been placed under hospital observation. As a precautionary measure, public offices, government buildings, educational institutions, and religious establishments have been temporarily closed in nine villages within the district, while public transportation services have been suspended in the affected area.
Neighboring states, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, have also taken precautionary steps by ordering tests for visitors arriving from Kerala and isolating anyone displaying symptoms of influenza.
The Nipah virus has a wide range of potential hosts among animals, increasing the risk of transmission. It can be contracted through direct contact with infected individuals or by consuming contaminated food.
Initially identified in 1999 during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore, Nipah virus outbreaks are sporadic, and previous infections in South Asia were linked to the consumption of items contaminated with bat excreta.
Kerala experienced its first Nipah outbreak in 2018, resulting in 21 out of 23 infected individuals losing their lives. Subsequent outbreaks in 2019 and 2021 claimed two lives each. Earlier this year, a Reuters investigation highlighted parts of Kerala as among the global hotspots most at risk for bat virus outbreaks due to the increasing encroachment into natural habitats, bringing humans and wildlife into closer contact. This recent resurgence serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by zoonotic diseases and the urgent need for vigilant surveillance and prevention efforts.
