Nipah virus outbreak: Centre rushes health team, Kerala on alert

The Nipah virus infection starts with 3-14 days of fever and headache, followed by drowsiness, disorientation and mental confusion. The acute encephalitis then progresses to coma within 24-48 hours.

Nipah outbreak in Kerala: Six dead, Centre rushes joint probe team

Kozhikode: Animal Husbandry department and forest officials collect bats from a well of a house after the outbreak of ‘Nipah’ virus, near Perambra in Kozhikode on Monday. (PTI Photo)

With three more suspected Nipah virus-related deaths reported over the last 24 hours in Kerala’s Kozhikode district, where three deaths have already been confirmed, the entire state has been put on high alert, even as the Centre launched a multi-agency effort to contain the outbreak.

A rapid response team from the National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi, National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, Kerala, have initiated a joint investigation into the outbreak.

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“We are closely monitoring the situation. I have spoken to Tourism Minister K J Alphons and Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja and assured them all support of the Central government,” Union Health Minister J P Nadda said in a statement from Geneva Monday. “I have also dispatched a central team to assist the state government and initiate required steps.”

More than a hundred samples collected from patients with suspected symptoms have been sent to NIV for confirmation.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said although Nipah-related deaths have been reported only in Kozhikode, the entire state has been put on alert, and private hospitals have been asked to not deny treatment to any patient with suspected symptoms.

Kozhikode: Animal Husbandry department and forest officials collect bats from a well of a house after the outbreak of ‘Nipah’ virus, near Perambra in Kozhikode on Monday. (PTI Photo)

Kerala Health Services director Dr R L Saritha said, “So far three cases have been virologically confirmed as caused by Nipah. Three more deaths have occurred since Sunday night with similar epidemiological symptoms. We are awaiting confirmation on these.”

Also read | Nipah virus infection: First-ever case, symptoms, treatment

Dr Saritha said it is suspected that Nipah virus was induced by fruit bats. “Bats have been found near the house of V Moosa, 61, whose two sons, and a close relative, died due to the disease. Moosa is also battling for life after has been confirmed with Nipah virus,” she said.

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A team from the National Centre for Disease Control, led by its director Dr Sujith Kumar Singh, on Monday visited the medical college in Kozhikode and affected areas to help the state tackle Nipah-induced fever.

A statement from Kerala’s Health Minister K K Shylaja said a task force has been constituted and a special intensive care unit and isolation ward have been arranged at Kozhikode medical college to address suspected Nipah cases.

Health staff at Kozhikode medical college. (Express Photo)

Late Saturday evening, it was learnt that Atifa, 19, admitted at Kochi’s Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences who was suspected to have been infected, has tested negative for Nipah virus. Dr Sanjeev Singh, medical director at the institute, said that Atifa comes from Perambra taluk of Kohhikode, where presence of Nipah virus has been confirmed, and was admitted as a precautionary measure when she also developed symptoms of fever after her fiance succumbed to the virus.

A senior scientist at NIV said, “Confirming a human infection with Nipah virus is a matter of concern but there is no need for panic because timely diagnosis and rapid mobilisation of Central and state health assets on ground should mitigate the spread. We are fully prepared for laboratory testing at par with international standards.”

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. ``Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) "Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. ``At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure "For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. ``Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions X (Twitter): @runaanu ... Read More

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