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Kerala, India. A new confirmed case of Nipah virus infection in a 52-year-old man from Palakkad district on July 12 has reignited concerns over the deadly zoonotic disease. This marks the tenth instance of Nipah spillover in Kerala since 2018 and the fourth case reported in 2025 alone, all of which have emerged from a narrow 50-kilometre stretch between the Malappuram and Palakkad districts. With two fatalities recorded this year, health officials remain on high alert as the risk of further transmission looms.
The Kerala government has placed 675 people under surveillance across five districts. Experts warn that the recent cluster of independent cases indicates a dangerously high prevalence of Nipah-infected fruit bats in the region.
“Four spillover events within a couple of months in the same zone suggest that certain localities have become hotspots of infection,” said Dr. Thekkumkara Surendran Anish, nodal officer at the Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research and Resilience.
What is the Nipah Virus?
Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly lethal zoonotic virus, often transmitted from animals, primarily fruit bats, to humans, with a staggering fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 per cent. The virus is notorious for causing severe respiratory issues and fatal brain inflammation (encephalitis). Symptoms include acute respiratory distress, seizures, and loss of consciousness, and can manifest within 4–14 days of exposure.
Unlike previous outbreaks in Bangladesh, where the virus spread through contaminated date palm sap, the transmission pattern in Kerala remains unclear. Scientists believe the virus might be airborne, given the absence of clear mechanical vectors like pigs or horses. A new study by the Indian Council of Medical Research supports this theory, suggesting airborne transmission may explain the recurring yet sporadic spillovers in the region.
“We don’t fully understand the spillover mechanism yet,” added Dr. Anish. “But evidence increasingly points to fruit contaminated by infected bat droppings or possibly airborne exposure.”
Strong Surveillance and Containment Efforts
Despite the rising cases, Kerala’s health system has been effective in limiting human-to-human transmission. Since the initial outbreak in 2018, just 37 people have been infected across 10 spillover events, thanks to rapid trace-and-test strategies.
“Immediate quarantine of primary contacts and early antiviral treatment have been vital,” said Dr. Anish. “Our labs now test all patients with symptoms of acute respiratory or neurological distress for Nipah.”
The state has bolstered its laboratory infrastructure, enabling faster RT-PCR testing for the virus. Prophylactic use of antivirals like Ribavirin and Remdesivir, along with experimental monoclonal antibodies, has shown promise in reducing fatality rates when administered early.
Vaccine Development Underway
While there is currently no approved vaccine or dedicated treatment for NiV, global efforts are accelerating. The University of Oxford’s Nipah vaccine entered human trials in January and received support from the European Medicines Agency’s PRIME scheme in June. The World Health Organization has labeled Nipah a priority pathogen, emphasizing its epidemic potential and lack of countermeasures.
A Broader Wake-Up Call
Health experts underscore that the Nipah virus exemplifies the growing threat posed by zoonotic diseases, pathogens transmitted from animals to humans. With more than 60% of emerging infectious diseases falling into this category, the need for a “One Health” approach is urgent.
“Human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected,” said Dr. Anish. “Without addressing deforestation, climate change, and wildlife intrusion, we will continue to see more outbreaks like Nipah.”
As Kerala intensifies monitoring and containment, the global medical community watches closely. With warmer climates altering viral behaviour and human-animal interactions increasing, experts caution that Nipah may not remain a localised threat for long.
Read also: Shocking Report: 85% of Female Infertility Cases in Sub-Saharan Africa Linked to Infections
