Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced that 175 people have been identified as part of the contact list related to a 24-year-old patient who died from a Nipah virus infection in Malappuram. Among them, 126 have been classified as high-risk contacts due to the potential transmission of the virus.

The health minister emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "126 of the 175 contacts are in the high-risk category because the virus can easily spread from person to person. We have initiated house surveillance, and so far, all samples tested have returned negative."

To prevent the spread of the virus, the district administration has implemented strict measures, including the requirement for residents within a 3 km radius to wear masks. Gathering restrictions and containment zones have also been established. "All necessary precautions have been taken, including isolation facilities for infected individuals. We have requested assistance from ICMR," George added.

Earlier in the day, the health minister met with Union Health Minister JP Nadda in Delhi to discuss the outbreak. "I had scheduled the meeting a week ago, and we discussed various matters. This meeting was a follow-up to previous communications, and it went well," she said.

On September 16, George chaired two Nipah review meetings, which were held online. A control cell has been set up at the Malappuram Government Guest House to coordinate prevention efforts. Additionally, a field survey covering a three-kilometre radius around the deceased's residence has been launched, with 66 teams actively engaged in field operations.

The 24-year-old patient, a student from Bengaluru, tested positive for Nipah on September 15, following a sample analysis at the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

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