Nipah Virus Resurfaces In Kerala: How It Spreads And Why You Should Be Cautious

Last Updated:July 04, 2025, 18:58 IST

Nipah virus resurfaces in Kerala with suspected cases in Palakkad and Malappuram. Alerts have been issued in Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad.

Representative image (credit- Pexels)

Nipah virus cases have begun to resurface in Kerala with two suspected cases reported today, one each in Palakkad and Malappuram. The authorities are alarmed and avoid any further spread, an alert has been issued in three districts of Kerala– Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad. Notably, the tests conducted in Malappuram and Kozhikode medical college hospitals have confirmed the Nipah virus infection.

Authorities have sent the sample to National Institute of Virology in Pune for final confirmation. Nipah virus is classified as a priority pathogen due to its potential to trigger epidemics.

What Is Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning that it can spread between animals and people. Fruit bats, also called flying foxes, are the animal reservoir for NiVin nature.

It is also known to cause illness in pigs and people. Infection with NiV is associated with encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and can cause mild to severe illness and even death. Spread of virus can be prevented by avoiding exposure to sick pigs and bats in areas where the virus is present, and not drinking raw date palm sap which can be contaminated by an infected bat.

How The Virus Spreads?

Nipah virus can spread to people from direct contact with infected animals, such as bats or pigs, or their body fluids (such as blood, urine or saliva); consuming food products that have been contaminated by body fluids of infected animals (such as palm sap or fruit contaminated by an infected bat); and close contact with a person infected with NiV or their body fluids (including nasal or respiratory droplets, urine, or blood).

Some common symptoms of this virus can be fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and vomiting.

Why Caution Is Utmost?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the virus as a priority pathogen due to its potential to trigger epidemics. It is crucial to follow caution because currently there are no licensed treatments or vaccines available for this virus. Cure is limited to supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms as they occur. The virus has a high mortality rate of 40 to 75 per cent.

Kerala has been reporting Nipah virus infections almost every year since 2018. In the first outbreak that year, 17 people died.

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