Man in Malappuram district died due to Nipah virus, says Kerala Health Minister
Malappuram, Sep 15: The 24-year-old man who died recently at a private hospital in Malappuram was infected with the Nipah virus, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Sunday.
George said the suspicion of Nipah infection arose after a death investigation conducted by the Regional Medical Officer.
"The available samples were immediately sent for testing and it turned out to be positive," the minister said in a video message.
The Malappuram native who reached the state from Bengaluru died on September 9, after which his available samples were sent for testing to Kozhikode Medical college hospital laboratory.
Malappuram health officials said the results from Kozhikode medical college indicated a positive result, after which a high-level meeting was held by the health minister on Saturday night itself and she initiated the necessary steps as per the protocol.
Meanwhile, the results from National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune on Sunday confirmed the infection.
The minister said 16 committees were formed on Saturday night itself and a contact list of 151 people has been identified.
She said the man had travelled with his friends to various places and the close contacts had been isolated.
"Minor fever and symptoms were found in five of those under isolation and their samples have been sent for testing," the minister said.
A boy from Malappuram, who was undergoing treatment for Nipah infection, died on July 21. It was the first confirmed case of Nipah infection in the state this year.
Nipah outbreaks have been reported in Kozhikode district in 2018, 2021 and 2023 and in Ernakulam district in 2019, and the presence of Nipah virus antibodies had been detected in bats in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts.
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BJP conspiring to eliminate Rahul Gandhi, alleges CM Siddaramaiah
Shivamogga: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has alleged that the BJP is conspiring to politically and physically eliminate Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Speaking at a press conference at his Home Office, Krishna, on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah expressed alarm over the threats to Gandhi’s life, urging immediate legal action against those involved.
The Chief Minister emphasized that Gandhi, who comes from a family that has sacrificed much for the nation, remains undeterred by these threats. “Rahul Gandhi is from a family of martyrs, including former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Despite the dangers, he continues his fight for the country,” said Siddaramaiah.
He accused the BJP of threatening Gandhi, with some even warning that he might meet the same fate as his grandmother, Indira Gandhi. Siddaramaiah also pointed to remarks by a Union Minister of State for Railways, who allegedly called Gandhi a terrorist.
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Further intensifying his criticism, Siddaramaiah condemned Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad (Shinde faction) for reportedly offering a ₹11 lakh reward for cutting out Gandhi’s tongue. Gaikwad allegedly made death threats against Congress workers as well. The Chief Minister demanded immediate criminal action against Gaikwad, calling for his arrest.
Siddaramaiah criticized the BJP for its inaction against such threats. He condemned a minister from Uttar Pradesh for labeling Rahul Gandhi as the country’s “number one terrorist,” noting that no strict measures had been taken against him.
In a broader political attack, Siddaramaiah predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not complete his five-year term, citing current political dynamics. He suggested that key allies, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, would soon part ways with the central government.
Siddaramaiah also addressed the controversy surrounding BJP MLA Muniratana, who has been accused of making derogatory remarks against women, the Dalit community, and the Vokkaliga community. Legal action has been initiated, and Muniratana has been arrested and presented in court.
The Chief Minister called for the formation of a special investigation team to probe the case further.
