A 57-year-old man from Kerala’s Palakkad district has died due to suspected Nipah virus infection, marking the second such death in the state within days. The deceased had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital, and his test samples sent to Manjeri Medical College returned positive results for the Nipah virus. State Health Minister Veena George confirmed that the final confirmation is awaited from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. In response, the government has intensified contact tracing, drawing up a list of 46 individuals who came in contact with the patient, while using CCTV and mobile tower data to map his recent movements.

This fresh case has triggered a widespread alert in Kerala, especially in the districts of Palakkad and Malappuram. One more person from Palakkad remains under treatment, while the previous death was reported from Malappuram. Health authorities have begun fever surveillance in the affected areas and prepared a detailed route map and family tree to trace possible spread. The minister emphasized that only one person may accompany a patient to hospitals, and all attendants and staff must wear masks at all times. Public have been advised to avoid unnecessary hospital visits, and to strictly follow infection control protocols.

A Nipah virus alert has now been issued across six districts—Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Thrissur. Hospitals have been instructed to report any cases with symptoms like high-grade fever or signs of encephalitis. As per WHO, Nipah virus is a deadly zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, or through contaminated food and direct human contact. Currently, the total number of people under surveillance has reached 543, including the 46 contacts from the newly confirmed case. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with field-level teams on high alert.