Nipah virus outbreak: Boy, 14, dies from 'brain-swelling' illness in Kerala, India - 60 others classed as 'high risk'

A 14-year-old boy passed away from Nipah virus in Kerala, India.

Sixty additional individuals have been identified as "high risk" after possibly being exposed to the virus.

The young boy's heart stopped beating when he caught the virus that leads to a deadly fever that causes the brain to swell.

Nipah virus, originating from fruit bats and animals, currently has no treatment or vaccine available.

The World Health Organization considers this microorganism a "priority pathogen" due to its ability to potentially cause a widespread outbreak.

In a press release over the weekend, Kerala's health minister Veena George announced that orders have been given to establish 25 teams to detect and separate individuals who have been impacted.

In a recent update, Dr. Anoop Kumar, who oversees critical care medicine at Aster MIMS Hospital in Calicut, mentioned that a student had tested positive for Nipah virus. He also mentioned that those who had come in contact with the student were under observation.

"He mentioned that the likelihood of a Nipah virus outbreak occurring at this point is very low," he stated, mentioning that they will continue to keep an eye on the situation for the next week to ten days.

The boy's primary contact list includes 214 people, according to the statement.

Check out the latest news from Sky News: - Tragic incident: A father and his two-year-old daughter were killed when a stroller rolled into the path of a train. - Houthis' aggressive move: The Houthis targeted the Israeli city of Eilat following an attack on a port in Yemen. - Shocking loss: A singer passed away after being electrocuted during a live performance.

Out of these patients, 60 are considered to be at high risk, according to the information provided. In response, isolation units have been established within healthcare facilities to provide treatment for these individuals.

Relatives of the patient who got sick were held at a nearby hospital for monitoring. Those who might have been exposed were told to stay isolated at their homes.

Stay updated with the latest news by following Sky News on WhatsApp

Stay updated on the most recent happenings in the UK and globally by following Sky News.

Nipah virus has been connected to the fatalities of many individuals in Kerala ever since it was first seen in the southern state in 2018.

The virus was first discovered in Malaysia 25 years ago and has caused outbreaks in Bangladesh, India, and Singapore.