Nipah Virus Symptoms Found in 11 People in India's Kerala State- Health Minister

On Sunday, a 12-year-old boy succumbed to the virus, and medical experts of the state began checking all the 251 people who had come into contact with the teen.

"There are 38 persons in isolation at Kozhikode Medical College and Hospital, of which 11 have shown symptoms. Samples of eight persons have been sent to Pune NIV (National Institute of Virology) for testing," George stated, as quoted by the national NDTV broadcaster, adding that the condition of those with symptoms is deemed stable.

The Indian Health Ministry ordered that epidemiological surveillance be bolstered and more intensive contact tracing be conducted. Strengthened security measures related to the virus were also introduced in the Kozhikode district, where the boy lived, and in three neighboring districts.

The nipah virus is carried by fruit bats, and people contract the disease when eating fruit with saliva of infected animals. The virus is considered by the World Health Organization as one of the most dangerous in the world, as there are no drugs or vaccines against it. Lethal cases from nipah make up from 40% to 75%.

Nipah was found in Indians in the West Bengal state in 2001, and in Kerala in 2018-2019.