Author: Sivaram Venkirasubramanian, Manoj Kumar

Authorities in Kerala, southern India, are on high alert following the death of a 14-year-old boy from the deadly Nipah virus. With 60 people identified as high-risk, the state’s health minister is taking preventive measures to contain the outbreak. Kerala is at a high risk for Nipah virus outbreaks, as highlighted by a Reuters investigation. Nipah, originating from fruit bats and animals like pigs, can cause a fatal brain-swelling fever in humans. Classified as a priority pathogen by WHO, there is currently no vaccine or cure for the virus. State health minister, Veena George, confirmed the boy’s death from cardiac…