A 24-year-old student in Kerala has died from the deadly Nipah virus, confirmed by local medical authorities. The victim, who hailed from Bengaluru, showed symptoms of fever on September 4 and passed away five days later. Following the confirmation of Nipah infection by the National Institute of Virology in Pune on September 9, authorities placed 151 individuals who had contact with the victim under observation.
This marks the second Nipah-related death in Kerala’s Malappuram district this year, the first being a 14-year-old boy who died in July. The virus, known to cause brain-swelling fevers, is transmitted by fruit bats and animals like pigs, and has no vaccine or treatment.
Kerala is recognized as a high-risk region for Nipah outbreaks, according to a previous investigation by Reuters. Five other individuals, showing early signs of infection, have had their blood samples sent for testing to determine further spread.
Nipah, listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its epidemic potential, has resulted in several fatalities since its first emergence in Kerala in 2018.
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