Giving a significant update on the current situation of the Nipah Virus in Kerala and the state’s response to the virus outbreak, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that ICMR and WHO had conducted studies on the issue and it was found that 9 states in India have the probability of Nipah occurrence and Kerala is one among them.
She further said, “Also after 2018, we conducted surveillance and we found that the source of Nipah infection is bats. The virus we found in Kerala is identified as Indian Genotype or I Genotype which is similar to the strain found in Bangladesh. We have two strains of Nipah Virus one is Malaysian and the other from Bangladesh."
The Health Minister`s update underscores the government`s commitment to swiftly and comprehensively address the Nipah virus situation in Kerala. Authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to contain the outbreak, trace contacts, and gather critical scientific data for a more informed response. Public health remains the top priority as the state works diligently to manage this health challenge.