India's southern state of Kerala has taken preventive measures to control the spread of the rare and deadly Nipah virus. The virus has claimed two lives, and authorities have designated over seven villages in the Kozhikode district as containment zones, leading to the closure of schools, offices, and public transport. The Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans, with fruit bats and pigs believed to be potential carriers. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat, and in severe cases, it can cause fatal encephalitis.
Kerala has previously witnessed Nipah virus outbreaks, the most recent occurring in 2018, resulting in 17 fatalities. A May Reuters investigation identified parts of Kerala as high-risk areas for bat virus outbreaks, attributed to deforestation and urbanization, which bring humans and wildlife into closer contact, increasing transmission risks.
Authorities in Kerala are actively combatting the virus through measures like contact tracing, patient isolation, and area disinfection. The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring the situation, classifying the Nipah virus as a priority disease. Presently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment available for the virus.
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