Two “unnatural deaths” were reported due to suspected Nipah virus (NiV) in Kozhikode district. The two deaths occurred at a private hospital in the district, reports said. 

A total of four patients, including three children, are undergoing treatment in a hospital. A 22-year-old relative of one of the dead persons is currently in the intensive care unit of a hospital.

The Kerala Health Department issued an alert about the Nipah Virus as soon as the cases were reported.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has confirmed that the deaths were caused by the Nipah virus.

This is not the first outbreak of the nipah virus in India. Earlier in 2018 a total of 23 cases were reported of the virus and a second outbreak occurred in 2021.

The Nipah Virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. 

The virus has since been found in several species of domestic animals, including dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.

Symptoms start showing within 4 to 14 days of exposure, which include fever, headache, cough, sore throat and difficulty in breathing.

Although no specific treatment such as drugs or vaccines for the disease is available right now.