Health Minister Confirms Two Nipah Virus Deaths in Kerala

Health Minister Confirms Two Nipah Virus Deaths in Kerala

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed on Tuesday that two deaths in Kozhikode district, Kerala, were due to the Nipah virus.

Mr. Mandaviya stated that a team from the central government has been sent to Kerala to assess the situation and help the state government manage the Nipah virus.

Two days ago, two individuals passed away at a private hospital in Kozhikode. Currently, there are four patients at the hospital, including three children, who are undergoing treatment.

A 22-year-old relative of one of the deceased is in the ICU at a hospital, while two children aged 4 and 9, along with a 10-month-old baby, are receiving treatment at a private hospital.

The first death occurred on August 30 and the second on Monday.

A high-level meeting headed by Kerala Health Minister Veena George is set to review the situation.

The Kerala government is establishing a control room in Kozhikode and advising people to use masks as a precautionary measure.

Today, Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told people to be careful and mentioned that there's no need to worry because those who were close to the victims are getting medical help.

The Nipah Virus comes from fruit bats and can be deadly for both humans and animals, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO). It can lead to symptoms like respiratory problems, fever, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, and nausea, among others.

According to WHO, the virus can also harm animals like pigs, causing big financial losses for farmers.

In 2018, there was a Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, and in 2021, a case of the Nipah virus was reported in Kozhikode again.