Kerala: On Saturday, July 20, Kerala's Health Minister Veena George held an urgent meeting to address a potential Nipah virus outbreak in the state. This meeting was convened following concerns about a possible Nipah infection in the northern Malappuram district.

Reports indicate that a young boy from Malappuram, currently being treated at a private hospital in nearby Kozhikode, showed symptoms consistent with Nipah virus. His samples have been sent to a central laboratory for thorough analysis.

Although final test results are still pending, the Health Minister's office confirmed that preventive measures are already underway according to established Nipah protocols. These actions will follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by government guidelines for Nipah virus management.

The Health Minister plans to travel to Malappuram soon to oversee the Nipah prevention efforts personally. The high-level meeting included key officials such as the health secretary, the National Health Mission state director, and the district collectors of Kozhikode and Malappuram.

The state government recently announced the development of a special action plan to prevent a Nipah outbreak, a virus that has previously affected Kerala on four occasions. Nipah outbreaks have occurred in Kozhikode in 2018, 2021, and 2023, and in Ernakulam in 2019. Additionally, Nipah virus antibodies have been detected in bats across Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam districts.

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