The deadly Nipah virus has struck again and this time the victim isa 24-year-old student from the Malappuram district of Kerala.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday confirmed that the student, who died recently at a private hospitalin the northern district of the state, was suffering from Nipah virus disease.

The diseased, a student in Bangalore who hailed from Thiruvali in Wandoor, was on a visit to his hometown when he developed fever and later succumbed to the infection on 9 Sept, according to Deccan Herald.

Samples collected and tested first at the Kozhikode Medical college and later at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, confirmed that the student died from a Nipah infection.

This is the second person who has been killed by the rare virus this year.A 14-year-old from Malappuram died from Nipah on 24 July.

Meanwhile, health officials have identified and isolated the 151 people who had been in close contacts with the diseased. Samples of five people, who have started showing symptoms, have already been collected and sent for testing.

Situation at a glance

In an attempt to address the issue, the Health Minister has formed 16 committees. Apart from that, specific areas in Thiruvali Panchayat (wards four, five, six and seven) and Mampad Panchayat (ward seven) have been declared as containment zones. Health Minister said there is no need to panic as all precautions have been taken to control spread of the disease, according to a report from Mathrubhumi.

Nipah virus was first identified in 1999 in Malaysia during an outbreak among pig farmers. The first two Nipah virus outbreaks in India were reported in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007 respectively.  It was on 19 May, 2018 Kerala reported the first outbreak of Nipah in Kozhikode district.

During the outbreak, the Nipah virus disease killed 17 people in Malappuram and Kozhikkode districts. Last year, between 12th to 15th September 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported six laboratory-confirmed Nipah virus cases, including two deaths, in Kozhikode district, Kerala. 

Fruit bats, mainly from the Pteropodidae family, are the natural host of Nipah virus.Nipah virusspreadsthrough foods or fruits contaminated with secretions of infected bats or pigs. It can also spread from an infected person to another. Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. 

Till the date, there is no vaccine or treatment available to cure the condition. Prevention is the best way to avoid an infection which includes avoiding fruitseaten by bats, washing and peeling fruits before eatingand washing hands after visiting sick people.