Thiruvananthapuram: In a decisive move to support Kerala’s escalating health emergency, the Union Health Ministry has announced the arrival of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) within the coming week. The team will assist the state in containing a fresh outbreak of the Nipah virus, which has already claimed one life and infected another. The virus has resurfaced in the northern districts, rekindling public concern over its potential spread and the high fatality rates associated with it.
The situation turned serious following two confirmed cases one in Palakkad and another in Malappuram. A 38-year-old woman from Thachanattukara in Palakkad is currently receiving treatment, while an 18-year-old woman from Malappuram died recently, with her sample later confirmed as Nipah-positive by the National Institute of Virology in Pune. Alarmingly, health officials have not yet established a direct epidemiological link between the two cases, raising fears of an unidentified chain of transmission.
As of now, more than 425 people have been identified as contacts across three districts: 228 in Malappuram, 110 in Palakkad, and 87 in Kozhikode. These individuals are under observation, and several have reported symptoms linked to Nipah infection. Health authorities have launched aggressive containment measures, including fever surveillance and house visits. In Malappuram alone, health teams have visited over 1,600 households, checking for symptoms and educating residents on precautionary steps.
In response to the growing crisis, local administrations have declared containment zones in four panchayats of Malappuram. Schools have been closed, public gatherings restricted, and mandatory mask advisories issued. Markets are operating under limited hours, and all symptomatic individuals are being monitored closely. Kerala’s Health Department has activated emergency response protocols to prevent any further escalation.
The central outbreak team, which includes virologists, epidemiologists, and field experts, will assist in deep contact tracing, enhance testing capacity, and guide frontline health workers. Their arrival is also expected to strengthen laboratory coordination and field surveillance. The team will work alongside the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and state health authorities.
Kerala is no stranger to the Nipah virus, having experienced deadly outbreaks in 2018, 2021, and 2023. Each episode left a significant imprint on the state’s public health system. The virus, which spreads from animals like fruit bats to humans and can occasionally spread between humans, is known for its severe neurological and respiratory symptoms. The mortality rate in past outbreaks has ranged between 40% and 75%, making early containment critical.
While the central team’s presence is expected to boost Kerala’s capacity to manage the crisis, health officials continue to urge the public not to panic. They have emphasized the importance of community cooperation, timely reporting of symptoms, and strict adherence to health advisories. As investigations continue into the source and possible links between the cases, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the outbreak can be controlled or if a wider response will be required.