Parliament Question: Nipah Virus Outbreaks in Kerala

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2167 TO BE ANSWERED ON31.07.2026 NIPAH VIRUS OUTBREAKS IN KERALA 2167.SHRIK C VENUGOPAL: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:- (a) whether the Government is aware of the recent surge in Shigella, Nipah virus and dengue cases inKerala andif so, the details of Central assistance extendedtothe State inresponse; (b) whether the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) or any otherCentral agency has studied the recurring pattern of Nipah virus outbreaks in Kerala since 2018, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any long-term Central strategy has been formulated by the Government to support high-risk Statesinpreventing such recurrence,if so, the detailsthereof; and (d) whether the Government proposes to enhance Central funding or introduce a dedicated scheme to help States, including Kerala, cope with recurring public health emergencies and ensure timelyavailability of essential medicines,if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH& FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (d): The Government is aware of the reported cases of Shigellosis, Nipah virus disease and Dengue in Kerala. The Government continuously monitors the trends of outbreak-prone diseases including Shigellosis, Dengue and Nipah virus disease, through Integrated Disease SurveillanceProgramme (IDSP)- IntegratedHealthInformation Platform(IHIP). Health is a State subject, the responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system lies with the respective State/ UT Governments. Under National Health Mission (NHM), the Government provides technical and financial support to States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare systems based on the proposals submitted by them in their Program Implementation Plans, subject to norms & availability of resources. The details of the central assistance may be seen at the Link: https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=1&sublinkid=1377&lid=744. The Ministry through the National Centre for Disease Control in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Government of Kerala and otherconcerned agencies, has investigated all confirmed Nipah virus disease outbreaks reported in Kerala since 2018. Nipah virus disease is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease caused by the Nipah virus that mainly affects pigs and humans. Human infections usually occur in clusters or outbreaks, particularly among close contacts and caregivers of infected individuals. The naturalreservoir host of the virusisbelieved tobe Pteropusfruit bats(flyingfoxes). According to the information available, fruit bats play a significant role in transmission of the virus. Human infectionsmay occurdue tospillover of the virusfrom fruit bats to intermediate hosts or directly to humans. In India, outbreaks have been associated with exposure to contaminated food sources and close contact with infected individuals, which mayleadtoperiodic occurrenceof cases incertaingeographicalareas. The details of various control measures undertaken by the Government for surveillance, prevention and control of Nipah virus disease, Dengue and Shigellosis in all States/UTs includingStateof Kerala are placed at Annexure. *****ANNEXURE Disease-wise measures undertaken for surveillance, prevention and control of Nipah virusdisease,Dengue andShigellosisinall States/UTs including Stateof Kerala A. NipahVirus Disease i. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) comprising experts from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Forest & Wildlife authorities and human health sector, along with bat survey teams, has been constituted and deployed during outbreaksfor comprehensive assessment andresponse. ii. Technical and logistical support has been extended to Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories in Kerala, including training and provision of personal protective equipment anddiagnostic reagents, tostrengthen preparedness anddiagnostic capacity. iii. SurveillancehasbeenstrengthenedthroughAcuteEncephalitisSyndromesurveillanceand the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme-Integrated Health Information Platform, supported by event-based surveillance, media scanning and verification, and outbreak investigation byRapidResponse Teamsat the district andStatelevels. iv. Public awareness and capacity-building activities have been undertaken for healthcare professionals, medical andveterinarypersonnel, andfrontline health andveterinaryworkers. v. Zoonosis Committees have been constituted in States and Union Territories to review zoonotic diseases, including Nipah virus disease, and facilitate the One Health approach at the national, Stateanddistrict levels. vi. NCDC Guidelines on Nipah Virus Disease, Technical Guidance on Zoonotic Diseases (Centre for One Health, NCDC) and IEC Material on Nipah Virus Disease may be seen at the following linksrespectively:  https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/nipah-virus-guidelines/  https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Technical-Guidance-on- Zoonotic-Disease.pdf  https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/iec-material-on-zoonotic-disease-nipah/ B. Dengue The Government of India has been extending continuous technical and financial support to States,includingKerala the detailsare asunder: i. Technical guidelines on dengue case management, prevention and control have been providedtoStates andUnion Territories,including Kerala,for implementation. ii. Surveillanceandfree diagnosisaresupported throughdesignatedSentinelSurveillance Hospitals and Apex Referral Laboratories, including facilities in Kerala, with IgM diagnostic test kitssupplied through ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune. iii. Measures include earlydiagnosis, appropriate casemanagement,strengthened referral services, epidemic preparedness and rapid response, along with real-time monitoring through the Integrated HealthInformationPlatform-Vector Borne Diseases portal. iv. Integrated Vector Management includes indoor space spraying, outdoor fogging, anti- larval measures, use of bio-larvicides and larvivorous fish, and source reduction to preventmosquito breeding.v. Inter-sectoral convergence and collaboration with State Health Departments, Urban Local Bodies and other stakeholders are promoted to strengthen vector control and community awareness. vi. Information, Education and Communication and Behaviour Change Communication activities are undertaken through social, radio, electronic and print media. Annual observance of National Dengue Day and Anti-Dengue Month, capacity building of community-level functionaries, and periodic advisories to States and Union Territories support prevention andoutbreakcontainment. vii. IEC Material on Dengue may be seen at the following link https://ncvbdc.mohfw.gov.in/index1.php?font=Increase&lang=1&level=2&lid=4074&su blinkid=5992&utm C. Shigellosis The Government of Kerala, supported by IDSP, MoHFW initiated following public health measures: i. RapidResponseTeaminvestigationsandinter-sectoralcoordinationmeetingshavebeen undertaken in the affected districts to assess outbreaks and coordinate containment measures. ii. Activesurveillance,house-to-housevisits,activecasesearch,contacttracingandfollow -up of affected persons and households have been undertaken for early detection and interruption of transmission. iii. Oral rehydration solution has been distributed in affected communities, along with advice ontimelyhealthcareseeking, rehydrationandappropriate case management. iv. Chlorinationandsuperchlorinationofdrinking-watersourceshavebeencarriedout,and water-quality monitoring, testing and residual-chlorine assessment have been strengthened. v. Environmentalsanitationassessmentsandfood-safetyinspectionshavebeenundertaken, with attention to wells, septic tanks, drainage systems, waste disposal and food establishments inaffectedareas. vi. Health education, awareness sessions, group discussions and distribution of IEC materials have focused on prevention of water-borne diseases, hand hygiene, safe drinkingwater, food hygiene andearlyhealthcare-seeking behavior. vii. Coordination among the Health Department, Kerala Water Authority, Local Self- Government Institutions and Food Safety Department has been strengthened. The Central Surveillance Unit under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme is monitoring the situation incoordinationwith the State andDistrict SurveillanceUnits. viii. Official IEC material issued by the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Kerala, may be accessed through the link: https://dhs.kerala.gov.in/wp- content/uploads/2026/06/shigella.pdf *****