Kozhikode on alert as Nipah patient remains critical; authorities take stock of situation

Kozhikode, Kerala: A 43-year-old man from the Farook area of Kozhikode is in critical condition after testing positive for the Nipah virus and is undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. 

The patient has been admitted to a specialist isolation ward and placed on ventilator support after his condition deteriorated. Health authorities are awaiting final confirmation from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, although the infection was confirmed by laboratory within the state on Wednesday night.

The man's illness initially presented as a high fever. However, his condition later progressed to confusion and unusual behaviour. According to reports, the symptoms were initially mistaken for alcohol withdrawal because he consumed alcohol regularly.

His family first sought treatment at a rehabilitation centre. When his health failed to improve, he was taken to two private hospitals before doctors began to suspect Nipah virus infection.

Hospital tightens restrictions

Authorities have imposed stringent restrictions at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital to prevent any possible spread of the virus.

The Savitri Devi Sabu (SDS) block has been converted into a restricted high-security zone. Barricades have been erected to block routine access to the wing, and all patients and hospital staff have been directed to use only the main entrance for entry and exit.

Parking has been prohibited near the isolation ward, and health officials have advised the public to avoid the area unless their presence is essential.

The measures were introduced after the positive test result was reported, with hospital authorities seeking to minimise the risk of exposure while surveillance efforts continue.

Contact tracing under way

Health officials have launched an extensive contact-tracing exercise to identify people who may have come into contact with the patient before he was isolated.

The tracing operation has become more complex because the patient spent time at a de-addiction centre and later visited private healthcare facilities before the possibility of Nipah infection was raised.

At least five close family members and a person who assisted him during a cleaning work have already been placed under quarantine.

High-level review meetings held

District authorities have stepped up monitoring of the situation as efforts continue to identify and isolate potential contacts.

Senior officials, including the district collector, are holding high-level review meetings to assess developments and coordinate the public health response.

Authorities are also considering whether certain localities linked to the case should be declared containment zones as a precautionary measure.