Lok Sabha Question No. 2241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Cases of Nipah Virus in Kerala
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Raja A, Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2241 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025

## CASES OFNIPAH VIRUS IN KERALA

## 2241 SHRI RAJA A : PROF. SOUGATA RAY :

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether Nipah virus infection cases were reported again in some parts of the country including Kerala and if so, the details thereof along with the number of persons who are on the Nipah contact list in the country;
- (b) whether any control measures initiated to contain and prevent further infection of Nipah in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government ascertained the reasons for such widespread communicable diseases repeatedly at some hotspots in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether a decline in the immunity/resistance power caused the widespread diseases in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to contain such incidents in future?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (e) 3 Cases of Nipah Virus infection have been reported in Malappuram and Palakkad district in Kerala in 2025 and a total of 677 contacts were traced. Control measures initiated and steps taken by the Government to contain Nipah outbreaks is at Annexure .

Nipah virus disease is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease caused by Nipah virus (NiV). It mainly affects pigs and humans. Nipah cases in humans tend to occur in a cluster or as an outbreak especially in close contacts and care givers. The natural host of the virus is believed to be Pteropid fruit bats (flying foxes). According to the information available fruit bats play a significant role in the transmission of this disease. The NiV infection closely follows the spillover of pathogen from fruit bats to intermediate hosts or human beings. In India majority of the infections coincide with palm date sap collection times. Due to this Nipah cases occurs again and again at some areas.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2241 FOR 01.08.2025 REGARDING CASES OF NIPAH VIRUS IN KERALA:

## Control measures initiated and steps taken by the Government to contain Nipah Disease Outbreaks;

-  Through surveillance mechanism the early warning signals are captured to generate alerts, detect outbreaks in the early rising phase, outbreak investigations are conducted and timely appropriate measures are undertaken by the respective public health agencies to control and prevent the further spread of the disease.
-  A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), comprising of experts from Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Forest & Wildlife and human health, and Bat survey team were deployed for comprehensive assessment and review of these outbreaks. Malappuram and Palakkad, with Kozhikode, Thrissur, and Wayanad districts were placed on alert.
-  Whole genome sequencing was performed on clinical specimens from all positive cases. This genomic surveillance aids in understanding the circulating Nipah virus strain, which belong to similar genotypes of 2019 and 2021 outbreaks in Kerala.
-  Beyond the immediate outbreak response, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) maintained continued support and collaborative engagement with both Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) throughout the year, ensuring training, a steady supply of Personal protective equipment (PPE) and diagnostic reagents. This sustained effort underscores a commitment to strengthening regional capacities for infectious disease preparedness and response.
-  The State and Central Government health officials worked to enhance public and healthcare professional awareness regarding Nipah virus disease. These initiatives ensured that individuals were made aware on the signs and symptoms of the disease and understood the appropriate actions to take if they suspected an infection in themselves or others.

## Steps taken by the Government to contain such incidents in future-

-  Under the MoHFW, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is an important programme, which mandates surveillance & response to outbreak prone communicable diseases. IDSP is implemented in all 36 States/UTs. The program is responsible for the surveillance of 50 plus epidemic prone diseases and outbreak investigation. IDSP plays a crucial role in prompt response and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases including Nipah Virus disease in the country.
-  Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and ICMR- National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, have strengthened Nipah surveillance by enhancing Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Kerala state and Severe Acute

Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance in West Bengal and Kerala since October-November 2024.

-  A comprehensive guideline on Nipah Virus has been prepared which can be accessed on the link https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/nipah-virus-guidelines/
-  Under National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases (NOHP-PCZ) various initiatives are taken to strengthen prevention, detection, and response capacities for zoonotic diseases in India, including Nipah Virus Disease (NiV)
-  For institutionalization of One Health at National, State and district level -Zoonosis committee have been formed in All States /UTs to review status of all zoonotic diseases including Nipah virus
-  Capacity Building of medical and veterinary professional up to frontline health /vet workers is through Regional and state level institutes.
-  For understanding burden of priority zoonosis and efficient management 75 Sentinel Surveillance Sites in 28 States/ UTs strengthened under medical colleges/vet colleges.
-  Centre for One Health, NCDC has prepared a Technical Guidance on Zoonotic Disease, including Nipah Virus Disease and may be accessed at link below https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Technical-Guidance-o n-Zoonotic-Disease.pdf
-  Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) video on Nipah virus disease has been prepared to create awareness in the public and prevent the spread of the disease. The IEC may be accessed at link below https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/iec-material-on-zoonotic-disease-nipah/

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