Nipah virus kills 12 years old boy in Kerala ,188 primary contacts identified

New Delhi: According to the Union Health Ministry on Sunday, a Central team has been rushed to Kerala after a 12-year-old boy died due to Nipah virus infection in the state's Kozhikode district.

The samples of the boy were sent to the Pune National Institute of Virology. Later the reports confirmed the presence of Nipah virus.

Reportedly, the Central Government has sent a team of National Centre for Disease Control to the state which will be reaching on Sunday.

The ministry said the team will provide technical support to the state.

As per the reports, Nipah virus is spread by saliva of the fruit bats.

However, the minister informed the reporters, "Unfortunately, the boy passed away at 5 in the morning. The condition of the child was critical on Saturday night. We formed various teams and have started the tracing. Steps have been taken to isolate those who were the primary contacts of the boy".

The minister further said, “Three samples-- plasma, CSF and serum-- were found infected. He was admitted to the hospital with a heavy fever four days ago. But on Saturday, his condition became worse. We had sent his samples for testing the day before yesterday”.

“There is nothing to worry about. The health department is closely following up the situation. Special officers have been posted and special teams were formed. The patient was first taken to a private hospital, then to the medical college and from there again shifted to a private hospital. So, we have traced all his contacts. The friends he played with in his locality, his cousins and others, the health department had completed the identification and tracking of all these contacts," she added.

Reportedly, immediate public health measures have been advised by the Centre that includes active case search in the family, families, village and areas with similar topography especially in Malappuram.

“We have identified 188 primary contacts. Of which, 20 persons are in high-risk category. They are being shifted to MCH, Kozhikode. We've formulated an action plan & are enforcing lockdown in 3 km around child's house (infected with Nipah virus),” said Kerala Health Minister Veena Gorge.