Kozhikode: Concerns over a possible Nipah virus infection have resurfaced in Kerala after the preliminary test of a 43-year-old man from Kozhikode reportedly returned positive. While final confirmation is still awaited, the development has prompted health authorities to step up precautionary measures across the district.
According to reports, the patient’s samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmatory testing. The results are expected shortly.
The man, a businessman from Feroke in Kozhikode district, was initially admitted to a private hospital after his health deteriorated. He was later shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital on Wednesday, where he is currently undergoing treatment and is reportedly on ventilator support.
Following the suspected case, the Kerala Health Department has launched an extensive contact-tracing exercise to identify and monitor individuals who may have come into contact with the patient in recent days.
Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said the state is awaiting the NIV report for final confirmation but noted that the patient’s symptoms and preliminary test findings are suggestive of Nipah infection.
Officials are particularly concerned because the patient is believed to have interacted with a large number of people before being hospitalised. Reports indicate that he visited a hospital’s outpatient department and underwent MRI and echocardiography tests, potentially exposing healthcare workers and others.
As a precaution, those who may have come into contact with the patient have been advised to remain in quarantine and closely monitor their health.
Authorities have urged the public not to panic, stressing that all necessary arrangements have already been made at Kozhikode Medical College to deal with the situation if required.
Preliminary investigations suggest the patient may have been exposed to the virus while cleaning a recently rented godown intended for his small business operations. However, the exact source of infection has not yet been confirmed.
According to officials, the man initially developed a fever that subsided after a few days. When the fever returned along with other symptoms, he was admitted to the hospital, where further tests raised suspicion of a Nipah infection.
Health authorities are now mapping the patient’s movements and preparing a detailed contact list. Officials say the number of contacts could be significant.
For now, all eyes are on the NIV Pune report, which will determine whether Kerala is dealing with another confirmed Nipah case. Until then, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
