Kerala is once again on edge after new cases of Nipah virus have emerged, reigniting public concern and prompting swift action from health authorities. An 18-year-old girl from Kozhikode, who recently died due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), and a 38-year-old woman currently under intensive care at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram district, have tested positive for the deadly virus.
The confirmation came on Friday, July 4, 2025, from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, regarding the 38-year-old woman’s test results. While officials are still awaiting the final report for the deceased teenager, precautionary measures are already underway.
Recent Cases Stir Concern
The virus has returned barely two months after the last reported case in early May. At that time, a 42-year-old woman from Valanchery in Malappuram had tested positive and was admitted to the same Perinthalmanna hospital. Though she managed to survive the infection, her recovery is ongoing.
The young girl who succumbed to AES had undergone a post-mortem at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode. Following the positive result, all healthcare personnel involved in her treatment and autopsy have been placed under quarantine as a preventive step.
38-Year-Old Mother Battles for Life
The latest confirmed patient, a mother of three from Thachanattukara in the bordering Palakkad district, is reportedly in critical condition and is currently on ventilator support. Before her condition worsened, she sought medical care at two local hospitals in Karinkallathani and Mannarkkad for persistent high fever and related symptoms. She was eventually admitted to the Perinthalmanna hospital on July 1, where she presented symptoms associated with AES.
Districts on High Alert
In response to the fresh outbreak, health departments in Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad districts have been placed on high alert. Contact tracing, quarantine enforcement, and community-level surveillance efforts are already in motion.
Health Minister Veena George confirmed that the State had already activated the Nipah virus protocol prior to receiving the official confirmation from NIV. “We have constituted 26 rapid response committees across the three affected districts to manage the situation and prevent any potential spread,” she stated.
The Minister also emphasized that local police forces have been roped in to assist with tracing potential contacts of the infected individuals. Helpline numbers are being established at both district and State levels, and containment zones are being demarcated.
Proactive Measures Underway
District Collectors of the three affected regions—Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode—are coordinating on-ground measures to curtail further transmission. Public awareness announcements will be made in affected areas, and authorities are keeping a close watch on all unnatural deaths reported in the past week as a precautionary step.
A high-level meeting led by Health Minister Veena George is scheduled for Friday afternoon to review the situation and further strengthen containment strategies.
