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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Kerala steps up surveillance after second Nipah death; 543 on contact list
Hospitals in six Kerala districts on alert as state steps up vigil; high-risk contacts under close watch to curb further spread of Nipah virus New Delhi A second case of Nipah virus has been confirmed in Kerala's Palakkad district after a 58-year-old man from Kumaramputhur, near Mannarkkad, tested positive posthumously. The patient was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna and passed away on July 12. Following the confirmation of the second Nipah death, Kerala health authorities have intensified contact tracing and field-level monitoring efforts in the region. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said a list of contacts has been compiled, and the state is waiting for results from the National Institute of Virology, Pune. Preliminary tests conducted at Manjeri Medical College had given a positive result for Nipah. A total of 46 individuals have been identified as close contacts of the deceased. CCTV footage and other relevant information have been reviewed to construct a detailed route map and family tree. This will help in tracking possible exposures. Hospitals in six districts of Kerala put on alert Health authorities in Kerala have issued an alert across hospitals in Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Thrissur districts. Field-level interventions, including fever surveillance, are ongoing in affected areas. Residents in Palakkad and Malappuram have been urged to avoid non-essential hospital visits, especially in the current context. Health officials have advised that only one person should accompany a patient, and all individuals entering hospital premises—patients, visitors, and healthcare personnel—must wear masks at all times. Central team assesses situation in Kerala A central team from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare arrived in Kerala on July 9 to assess the situation in the affected districts and coordinate response strategies, PTI reported. The National Joint Outbreak Response Team is led by Dr Pranay Verma. He is the Joint Director and Public Health Specialist at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and is currently working in Malappuram, an official statement said. The 10-member expert panel includes scientists from the ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, along with wildlife and veterinary specialists and representatives from the animal welfare department. 543 individuals on statewide contact list The state's cumulative contact list for Nipah virus exposure now includes 543 people, with 46 linked to the latest confirmed fatality. Currently, ten individuals are undergoing treatment in Malappuram, two of whom are in intensive care. What is the Nipah virus? According to the World Health Organization, Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, as it is spread via contaminated food sources. The virus is associated with high mortality rates and requires prompt public health action to prevent outbreaks.
Deccan Herald
7 days ago
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Central team in Kerala to visit Nipah-affected areas
A central team arrived in Kerala on Wednesday to visit Nipah-affected areas in two northern districts and coordinate preventive efforts. The National Joint Outbreak Response Team, appointed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, visited Malappuram district to study the Nipah situation, report it to the Centre, and assist the state in preventive measures, official sources here said. Besides Malappuram, another case of Nipah infection was reported from neighbouring Palakkad district. Dr Pranay Verma, the Joint Director and Public Health Specialist at the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), is leading the 10-member expert team, an official statement said here. The team also includes scientists from the ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, wildlife specialists, veterinary consultants, and experts from the animal welfare department. They met District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr R Renuka and held discussions. Another National Institute of Virology (NIV) team of eight members led by Dr E Dilip Patil will soon arrive in the district to monitor and survey bats. This team is currently based in Palakkad, the statement added.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Central team in Kerala to visit Nipah-affected areas
Malappuram (Kerala): A central team arrived in Kerala on Wednesday to visit Nipah-affected areas in two northern districts and coordinate preventive efforts. The National Joint Outbreak Response Team, appointed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, visited Malappuram district to study the Nipah situation, report it to the Centre, and assist the state in preventive measures, official sources here said. Besides Malappuram, another case of Nipah infection was reported from neighbouring Palakkad district. Dr Pranay Verma, the Joint Director and Public Health Specialist at the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), is leading the 10-member expert team, an official statement said here. The team also includes scientists from the ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, wildlife specialists, veterinary consultants, and experts from the animal welfare department. They met District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr R Renuka and held discussions. Another National Institute of Virology (NIV) team of eight members led by Dr E Dilip Patil will soon arrive in the district to monitor and survey bats. This team is currently based in Palakkad, the statement added. Meanwhile, the Palakkad native, infected with Nipah virus, continues to remain at the government medical college in Kozhikode, sources said. Another patient, a Malappuram native, succumbed to the virus infection last week. State Health Minister Veena George said as many as 498 people are in the Nipah contact list in Kerala at present. Of this, 203 people are in Malappuram, 116 in Kozhikode, 177 in Palakkad, and two in Ernakulam, she said in a statement here. The test result of a 78-year-old woman, who was on the contact list of a person who died of the virus infection in Malappuram recently, has turned out to be negative, she said. During a high-level meeting conducted on Wednesday, the Minister ordered that preventive measures according to the Nipah calendar be vigorously continued until September. PTI>
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Woman who died in quarantine tests negative for Nipah
Health officials in Malappuram district heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday when a 78-year-old woman from Parappanangadi who had been under treatment in quarantine after contact with a Nipah patient and later passed away tested negative for the virus posthumously. Her funeral had been put on hold awaiting the test results. Health Minister Veena George said that 498 people in the State were on the Nipah contact list. She said prevention activities should continue until September as per the Nipah calendar. When 203 people are under observation in Malappuram, 116 are under observation in Kozhikode, 177 in Palakkad, and two in Ernakulam. Eleven of them are under treatment in Malappuram, with two in intensive care units. As many as 46 persons on the contact list in Malappuram have tested negative for Nipah so far. In Palakkad, three persons are being treated in isolation. Five tests in Palakkad have been negative so far. The Minister said that 29 persons in the State were in highest risk category and 116 in high risk category. The Nipah-infected woman is under treatment in Kozhikode. Meanwhile, a Central medical team on Wednesday visited Malappuram and Palakkad districts to coordinate the virus prevention efforts. The national joint outbreak response team appointed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will give a report to the Centre. The Central team is led by Pranay Verma, joint director at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The team includes experts from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, scientists, veterinary consultants and animal husbandry experts.
India Gazette
21-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Indian High Commission celebrates International Day of Yoga in Dhaka
Dhaka [Bangladesh], June 21 (ANI): High Commission of India celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga on Saturday in Dhaka. Speaking on the occasion, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma noted that Yoga has become a way of life for millions around the world, with Yoga connecting them across borders, cultures and beliefs. High Commissioner said that Yoga's universality was captured in this year's theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' which symbolized Yoga's role as a connector between individual wellness and global sustainability. He noted, 'As we commemorate this year's International Day of Yoga, we are reminded of the enduring bonds of cultural affinity between our two countries, their strong historical and people-to-people ties, and their relationship founded on the shared sacrifices during Bangladesh's Liberation War of 1971'. High Commissioner hoped that Yoga will be yet another unifying bond between the peoples of the two countries in their shared pursuit of wellness and harmony. In her remarks, Director of Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre Ann Mary George said that this was the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Yoga. It was in September 2014 that the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi proposed declaring an International Day of Yoga during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. Soon afterwards, in December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly, by consensus, declared June 21 to be celebrated as the International Day of Yoga every year. The event included participation by a large number of Yoga enthusiasts fromBangladesh who participated in a practice session based on the Common Yoga Protocol. Many prominent Yoga institutions of Bangladesh also presented Yoga demonstrations highlighting the benefits of Yoga. Senior Yoga practitioners over the age of 70 were felicitated at the event. Besides Yoga enthusiasts and institutions, the event was attended by a number of eminent cultural personalities, artists, media persons, professionals, scholars and youths of Bangladesh. (ANI)
