Second suspected Nipah death in Kerala; tracing, surveillance stepped up
The man had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in this northern district.
His samples were tested at Manjeri Medical College, where the result came back positive for Nipah, Health Minister Veena George said in a statement.
She added that the government is awaiting confirmation from the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
This is the second Nipah-related death reported in Kerala in recent days.
A native of Malappuram had recently died from the infection, while another patient from Palakkad district remains hospitalised.
In response to the fresh suspected case, the government has ramped up contact tracing and field-level surveillance in the area.
A list of 46 people who came into contact with the patient has been drawn up.
CCTV footage and mobile tower location data have been used to help identify those on the contact list. A detailed route map of the patient's recent movements has been prepared, along with a family tree to trace close contacts.
Health teams are now carrying out fever surveillance in the region to detect any possible symptoms in others.
'Field teams have been strengthened, and all available data is being used to monitor the situation,' George said.
Further steps will be taken once confirmation is received from the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
The minister has also instructed officials to step up the response team, considering the seriousness of the case.
Authorities have urged people in Palakkad and Malappuram districts to avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals, especially under the current circumstances.
Visits to friends or relatives receiving treatment should be strictly limited, officials said. Only one person is allowed to accompany a patient as an attendant.
Both healthcare workers and those coming to the hospital, including patients and their companions, are required to wear masks at all times, an official release said.
Meanwhile, the health minister also issued a Nipah alert to hospitals across six districts.
The advisory has been sent to medical facilities in Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Thrissur. Hospitals have been directed to report any patients presenting with fever and symptoms resembling Nipah, including encephalitis and high-grade fever, the minister's office said.
According to the WHO, Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or via direct human-to-human contact.
The Nipah virus contact list now includes a total of 543 people. Of these, 46 individuals are linked to the newly confirmed case, it said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
India accounts for 6.4% of global zero-dose children in 2024: UN
ANI India cuts zero-dose children by 43 per cent as South Asia hits record-high children immunization in 2024 India constituted 6.4 per cent of the global population of children who did not receive a single dose of any vaccine in 2024, according to a United Nations report. The new national immunisation coverage data released on Monday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF also highlighted that "India accounted for 49.2% of zero-dose children in South Asia", as per statistics from the Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA). The term "zero-dose children" refers to those who have not received any routine immunisations, including the first dose of the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine. This metric is a critical indicator of access to immunisation services and overall healthcare infrastructure. The report said India accounted for "6.4% of zero-dose children globally". Every year, WHO and UNICEF release global and national routine immunisation coverage estimates (WUENIC). Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, analyses what the 2024 WUENIC data says about the state of immunisation in the 57 low- and lower-middle-income countries it supports. Gavi said nearly half (4.9 million) of all the 10.2 million zero-dose children in lower-income countries live in five populous nations - Nigeria, DR Congo, India, Pakistan, and Ethiopia. It pointed out that coverage with the first dose of the DTP vaccine (DTP1) is an important measure that helps the world understand how many zero-dose children still don't have access to life-saving vaccines. DTP1 coverage stood at 87 per cent in 2024 - nearly recovered from a four percentage point decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This means there are half a million fewer zero-dose children in lower-income countries in 2024, thanks mainly to targeted efforts in populous countries like India, DR Congo, and Ethiopia," Gavi said. The report said in 2024, 89 per cent of infants globally -- about 115 million -- received at least one dose of DTP vaccine, and 85 per cent -- roughly 109 million -- completed all three doses. Compared to 2023, around 171,000 more children received at least one vaccine, and one million more completed the full three-dose DTP series. While the gains are modest, they signal continued progress by countries working to protect children, even amid growing challenges, the report said. Still, nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of DTP-containing vaccine last year, including 14.3 million "zero-dose" children who never received a single dose of any vaccine. That's four million more than the 2024 target needed to stay on track with Immunisation Agenda 2030 goals and 1.4 million more than in 2019, the baseline year for measuring progress, the report said. "Vaccines save lives, allowing individuals, families, communities, economies, and nations to flourish," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "It's encouraging to see a continued increase in the number of children being vaccinated, although we still have a lot of work to do. Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress," he said. The report noted that children often remain un- or under-vaccinated due to a combination of factors, such as limited access to immunisation services, disrupted supply, conflict and instability, or misinformation about vaccines. Data from 195 countries show that 131 countries have consistently reached at least 90% of children with the first dose of DTP vaccine since 2019, but there has been no significant movement in expanding this group. Among the countries that reached less than 90% in 2019, only 17 managed to increase their coverage rates in the past five years. Meanwhile, in 47 countries, progress is stalling or worsening. This includes 22 countries that achieved and surpassed the 90% target in 2019 but have since declined. The data shows conflict and humanitarian crises can quickly erode vaccination progress. A quarter of the world's infants live in just 26 countries affected by fragility, conflict, or humanitarian crises, yet they make up half of all unvaccinated children globally. Concerningly, in half of these countries, the number of unvaccinated children has expanded rapidly from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024, underscoring the need for humanitarian responses to include immunisation, the report said Immunisation coverage in the 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi has improved in the past year, reducing the number of un- and under-vaccinated children by roughly 650,000. At the same time, signs of slippage are emerging in upper-middle- and high-income countries that have previously maintained at least 90% coverage. Even small declines in immunisation coverage can dramatically raise the risk of disease outbreaks and place additional strain on already overstretched health systems. "The good news is that we have managed to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. But millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases, and that should worry us all," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "We must act now with determination to overcome barriers like shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems, along with misinformation and access constraints because of conflicts. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent," she said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
India accounts for 6.4% of global zero-dose children in 2024: UN
India constituted 6.4 per cent of the global population of children who did not receive a single dose of any vaccine in 2024, according to a United Nations report. The new national immunisation coverage data released on Monday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF also highlighted that "India accounted for 49.2% of zero-dose children in South Asia", as per statistics from the Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA). The term "zero-dose children" refers to those who have not received any routine immunisations, including the first dose of the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine. This metric is a critical indicator of access to immunisation services and overall healthcare infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The report said India accounted for "6.4% of zero-dose children globally". Every year, WHO and UNICEF release global and national routine immunisation coverage estimates (WUENIC). Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, analyses what the 2024 WUENIC data says about the state of immunisation in the 57 low- and lower-middle-income countries it supports. Live Events Gavi said nearly half (4.9 million) of all the 10.2 million zero-dose children in lower-income countries live in five populous nations - Nigeria, DR Congo, India, Pakistan, and Ethiopia. It pointed out that coverage with the first dose of the DTP vaccine (DTP1) is an important measure that helps the world understand how many zero-dose children still don't have access to life-saving vaccines. DTP1 coverage stood at 87 per cent in 2024 - nearly recovered from a four percentage point decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This means there are half a million fewer zero-dose children in lower-income countries in 2024, thanks mainly to targeted efforts in populous countries like India, DR Congo, and Ethiopia," Gavi said. The report said in 2024, 89 per cent of infants globally -- about 115 million -- received at least one dose of DTP vaccine, and 85 per cent -- roughly 109 million -- completed all three doses. Compared to 2023, around 171,000 more children received at least one vaccine, and one million more completed the full three-dose DTP series. While the gains are modest, they signal continued progress by countries working to protect children, even amid growing challenges, the report said. Still, nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of DTP-containing vaccine last year, including 14.3 million "zero-dose" children who never received a single dose of any vaccine. That's four million more than the 2024 target needed to stay on track with Immunisation Agenda 2030 goals and 1.4 million more than in 2019, the baseline year for measuring progress, the report said. "Vaccines save lives, allowing individuals, families, communities, economies, and nations to flourish," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "It's encouraging to see a continued increase in the number of children being vaccinated, although we still have a lot of work to do. Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress," he said. The report noted that children often remain un- or under-vaccinated due to a combination of factors, such as limited access to immunisation services, disrupted supply, conflict and instability, or misinformation about vaccines. Data from 195 countries show that 131 countries have consistently reached at least 90% of children with the first dose of DTP vaccine since 2019, but there has been no significant movement in expanding this group. Among the countries that reached less than 90% in 2019, only 17 managed to increase their coverage rates in the past five years. Meanwhile, in 47 countries, progress is stalling or worsening. This includes 22 countries that achieved and surpassed the 90% target in 2019 but have since declined. The data shows conflict and humanitarian crises can quickly erode vaccination progress. A quarter of the world's infants live in just 26 countries affected by fragility, conflict, or humanitarian crises, yet they make up half of all unvaccinated children globally. Concerningly, in half of these countries, the number of unvaccinated children has expanded rapidly from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024, underscoring the need for humanitarian responses to include immunisation, the report said Immunisation coverage in the 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi has improved in the past year, reducing the number of un- and under-vaccinated children by roughly 650,000. At the same time, signs of slippage are emerging in upper-middle- and high-income countries that have previously maintained at least 90% coverage. Even small declines in immunisation coverage can dramatically raise the risk of disease outbreaks and place additional strain on already overstretched health systems. "The good news is that we have managed to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. But millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases , and that should worry us all," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "We must act now with determination to overcome barriers like shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems, along with misinformation and access constraints because of conflicts. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent," she said.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Empowering India's youth by supporting their mental health
With over 380 million people between the ages 10 and 24, India has the world's largest youth population in the world. This is often referred to as India's 'demographic dividend', a window of opportunity for the country's economic growth and prosperity. However, a question follows this staggering number – are India's young truly healthy, both physically and mentally, to carry the weight of this opportunity? Rising levels of anxiety and depression, and suicide statistics are reflective of a silent emergency that is in contradiction to the positive perspective emerging from the numbers. It is believed that at least one person dies by suicide every hour in India. Unless steps are taken to better the situation, this increasing burden of mental illness will sabotage the prosperity that India is poised to enjoy with its young. Suicide: an epidemic Suicide is now among the top causes of death among Indian youth aged between 15 and 29 years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, India's suicide rate in 2021 was 12.6 per 1,00,000, significantly higher than the global average of 9.2. In addition, the National Crime Records Bureau's (NCRB) 2022 report states that more than 13,000 students died by suicide in that year, with about 2,000 of these deaths linked to exam failure. These numbers are not merely isolated instances of individual suffering. They reflect a larger systemic issue that encompasses education, work, family life, and societal expectations. Additionally, increased instances of self-injury and suicidal thoughts among young adults and teenagers indicate that a majority of them are fighting long before they hit crisis point. Youth suicide in India is no longer an extremity, but a public health crisis. Without early intervention and ongoing support, the country's young people will go on battling mental health problems until it is too late for anyone to help them. What are the key drivers? The reasons behind Indian youth suicides are varied and multi-layered. In the majority of instances, suicide is not the end result of one event but rather an accumulation of a series of events over a period of time. The key drivers are: Academic pressure and fear of failure: India's education system continues to be deeply exam-focused, with massive pressure on students to perform extremely well. Institution-wide high-stakes testing, demanding academic streams, and low failure tolerance can lead to stress. The psychological cost of constant academic pressure leads to suicide. Between 2019 and 2023, 98 suicides were reported across India's top institutions including IITs, NITs, with a recent survey among IIT students revealing that 61% cite academic stress as the main trigger. Economic insecurity and unemployment: With youth unemployment rates high, many are not likely to get a job easily. The subsequent sense of frustration and despair can contribute to a decline in mental health. Societal and family pressures: Family expectations regarding career, marriage, and financial obligations are sources of stress. Conflict with others, or perceptions of failure to meet expectations, are in most cases, directly linked to suicidal activity. In addition, cultural stigma prevents open family discussion of emotional and mental health issues. Data from NCRB suggests that about 48% of all suicides among young adults are caused by distress from family problems, love affairs, and marriage-related issues. Mental health disorders and inadequate access to care: Underlying mental illness—depression, anxiety, or addiction—can often remain undiagnosed. Even as awareness spreads, professional mental health care remains out of reach for many, particularly in rural areas. Stigma and silence: A general stigma around mental illness continues to discourage seeking assistance. Young people tend to fear being labelled weak, unstable, or attention-seeking. Emotional suffering is thus internalised, and by the time it is verbalised, the condition is beyond prevention. According to a UNICEF survey on mental health across 21 countries, including India, only 41% of Indian youth feel it's acceptable to seek professional mental health support. What needs to change Youth suicide needs to be tackled by an integrated, multi-sectoral response that crosses healthcare, education, family systems, and public communication. Some steps that could help include: Destigmatise help-seeking — Despite increasing mental health struggles, many young people hesitate to seek help due to fear of judgement, family pressure, or lack of awareness. A narrative must be created to normalise mental health conversations, with the help of awareness campaigns both at schools, colleges and in communities. To seek help should no longer seem to be a weakness or a matter of shame. Strengthen crisis support systems — India has 24/7 mental health helplines including KIRAN (1800-599-0019) and Tele-MANAS (14416), We Care Mental Health Helpline operated by Bengaluru police and NIMHANS - 8277946600, NIMHANS toll free hotline 080-46110007, etc., offering free counselling in multiple languages. However, awareness among the youth remains low, and many don't know that these services exist. These crisis systems must be widely promoted in schools, colleges, and public platforms. Involve families and communities — It is important to make parents and caregivers aware of the need to have open conversations about mental health and break the stigma around it as they have a major influence on the youth. The loss of a young life is not merely a personal loss but also a national one. It is a loss of potential, of aspirations, and of a future that will never come. India's youth are meant to be the architects of the nation's progress, but they cannot perform this task if they are emotionally broken, unsupported, or muzzled. Suicide prevention is not just a health priority. It is a priority for the economy, and for society as whole. (Dr. Diwakar Goutham N, Senior Consultant, Clinical Lead - Psychiatry, Narayana Health City, Bangalore. [Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on Tele-MANAS 14416, and SNEHA's suicide prevention helpline - 044 24640050 or from any of the numbers in this link]
