After a case of Nipah virus was detected in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, the Central government rushed a team of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to the state to provide technical support.
A 12-year-old boy died due to the infection at a hospital in the district. The child was presented with features of encephalitis and myocarditis. He had high fever and associated symptoms. The samples of the boy, which were sent to the Pune National Institute of Virology, confirmed the presence of Nipah virus. "Unfortunately, the boy passed away at 5am. The condition of the child was critical yesterday night. We formed various teams yesterday night and have started the tracing. Steps have been taken to isolate those who are the primary contact of the boy," state health minister Veena George told the media. The minister said that all primary contacts of the boy have been identified and measures have been taken to isolate them. So far, no close contacts have shown any symptoms.
The minister confirmed that a special ward will be set up at the Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode to tackle any more potential Nipah virus cases.
The first Nipah virus disease (NiV) outbreak in South India was reported from Kozhikode district of Kerala on May 19, 2018. There have been 17 deaths and 18 confirmed cases as of June 1, 2018.