The Kerala Health Department has issued a health alert following the confirmation of two Nipah virus cases, one of which has already resulted in a fatality. The second patient is currently receiving treatment. The alert specifically concerns the districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad, where health authorities are monitoring 345 individuals who came into contact with the confirmed cases, identified through testing conducted at the NIV institute in Pune.
According to Health Minister Veena George, surveillance efforts have been intensified to prevent the potential spread of the virus, which tends to resurface during the monsoon season. Dr. Rakesh Gupta, senior consultant in internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, explains that the recurrence of such outbreaks is linked to climate change, shifts in wildlife behavior, and human lifestyle factors, making continuous monitoring essential.
Massimo Serresi
