PALAKKAD: Health authorities have launched an aggressive contact tracing operation after a 57-year-old man from Palakkad, who passed away at a private hospital in Malappuram on Saturday night, was confirmed to have died due to Nipah virus infection. The diagnosis was made at Manjeri Medical College, Health Minister Veena George confirmed.

So far, 46 people have been identified as primary contacts of this second confirmed Nipah case in the state in recent weeks. CCTV footage and mobile tower data are being used to trace the deceased’s movements and interactions. A detailed family tree has also been drawn to assist in the mapping.

The health department has intensified fever surveillance in the affected areas and begun isolating those at risk. A total of 543 people are now on the official Nipah contact list—208 in Malappuram, 219 in Palakkad, 114 in Kozhikode, and 2 in Ernakulam. Of these, 36 are being monitored under the ‘highest risk’ category and 128 are considered ‘high risk’.

Currently, 10 individuals are undergoing treatment in Malappuram, including two in ICU. One person is in isolation in Palakkad. Encouragingly, 62 samples tested in Malappuram have so far returned negative.

Minister Veena George has urged residents, especially in Palakkad and Malappuram, to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Hospitals have been instructed to allow only one bystander per patient, and strict masking norms are in place for all.