The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported six laboratory-confirmed Nipah virus cases between September 12-15, 2023 in the Southern Indian state of Kerala, two of which were fatal. The source of infection in the first case is unknown and under investigation. The other five patients were close contacts of the index case, including two family members and contacts at the hospital where the first patient was treated. There have not been any new cases detected since September 15.
Nipah virus outbreaks have been recorded almost annually in parts of Southeast Asia, primarily in Bangladesh and India. This recent outbreak is the sixth in India since 2001. Previous outbreaks globally have had case fatality rates ranging between 40 and 75 percent.
Read the full situation report from NETEC, as well as an article from NETEC explaining what frontline health care workers need to know about Nipah Virus.