India Reports Second Death from 'Nipah Virus' in Kerala

New Delhi — Local authorities in Kerala, southern India, have confirmed the death of a 24-year-old man from a Nipah virus (NiV) infection.

Reports state that the man died at a private hospital in Malappuram district, where it was later confirmed that he had contracted the Nipah virus. Initially, medical officials suspected the cause of death to be related to encephalitis symptoms.

Health officials are currently monitoring 151 individuals who had close contact with the deceased to prevent further spread of the deadly virus.

This marks the second death from Nipah virus in Kerala since July. Earlier, on July 21, a 14-year-old male student from the Pandikkad area in Malappuram district also died from the same virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Nipah virus as a newly emerging zoonotic disease that causes severe illness in both animals and humans. The natural hosts of the virus are fruit bats from the Pteropodidae family, specifically from the Pteropus genus.

In humans, Nipah virus infection presents symptoms similar to encephalitis, including fever, headache, drowsiness, confusion, and coma, which can eventually lead to death.

Source: Xinhuathai

Source: ArokaGO Health Library - Encephalitis Symptoms