Kerala Declares Nipah Virus Outbreak Contained, 472 People Cleared
Kerala News
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Health Department announced on Wednesday that the Nipah virus outbreak in Malappuram district has been fully contained. The restrictions in the affected areas have been lifted after successfully completing the 42-day double incubation period.
Health Minister Veena George confirmed that all 472 individuals under observation have been cleared and removed from the contact list. The special control room set up to monitor the situation has also been disbanded.
The presence of the Nipah virus was detected in bat samples collected from Pandikkad, Malappuram, after the death of a 14-year-old boy on June 21. “The virus was confirmed only in the child who tragically lost his life. However, thanks to swift action and robust control measures, the virus was prevented from spreading,” said the minister.
After reviewing the situation, Minister George emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance even after the incubation period. She commended the health team’s collective efforts in preventing the virus’s spread, acknowledging the tragic loss of the young boy.
The health department acted quickly following the outbreak by forming 25 committees and adhering to Nipah guidelines. Contact tracing began immediately, and a 24-hour control room was established. A contact list and route map were published, and all symptomatic individuals were tested.
Intensive care units were set up at Manjeri and Kozhikode Medical Colleges, while temporary restrictions were imposed in Pandikkad and Anakkayam panchayats. Special fever clinics were opened in Vandur, Nilambur, and Karuvarakundu, prioritizing both medical care and mental health support.
To reduce disruption, essential items like food and medicine were delivered to homes under observation with the help of volunteers. Instead of a complete lockdown, a strategic approach with targeted restrictions was implemented to control the virus’s spread.
Also Read: Nipah Virus Death: Masks Made Mandatory in Kerala’s Malappuram
