Tragedy has once again struck Valachukettil family of Sooppikkada village in Kerala's Kozhikode district as one more member succumbed to the Nipah virus infection on Thursday.
District Medical Officer V. Jayashree told The Hindu that V. Moosa, 60, who had been undergoing treatment at Baby Memorial Hospital in the city, died on May 24 morning.
This is the fourth death in the family as Moosa's sons Mohammed Sabith and Mohammed Salih, and sister-in-law Mariyam too had died of the infection since May 5.
With this, the death toll due to the virus infection has gone up to 12.
Three persons, whose blood and body fluid samples were tested positive for the infection, are undergoing treatment.
In pictures: Nipah’s deadly grip on Kozhikode
In most Nipah outbreaks in South Asia, the virus has displayed a “stuttering chain of transmission”, meaning that once the virus spreads from fruit bats to humans, it moves mainly to people in close contact with patients, such as family, hospital staff and caregivers. In this picture, nursing staff of Kozhikode medical college wear masks.
A duty doctor at Kozhikode Medical college wears protective gear during his duty. Caregivers are at high risk, because the sicker the patients become, the more virus they secrete.
The natural host of the virus is fruit bats. In this image, experts set up traps for bats that were found inside a well near Sooppikkada in Changaroth, Kozhikode on Monday.
Bat experts secure a bat procured from a well near Sooppikkada to test if the bats were indeed responsible for the Nipah viral infection in Changaroth, Kozhikode.
Lini, a staff nurse at the Perambra Taluk Hospital, passed away on May 21 due to suspected infection of Nipah virus. She was on duty when one of the earlier deceased had undergone treatment there. A health worker is seen here collecting blood samples from Lini’s younger sister.
A two wheeler rider wears a mask at Medical College, Kozhikode. The death of two members of a family due to Nipah virus infection at the Government Medical College hospital, Kozhikode, has set alarm bells ringing.
A mask vendor at the gate of Medical college in Kozhikode. The sale of masks outside the hospital was brisk as all the visitors were advised to wear protective masks.
A boy suffering injuries from an accident at the casualty department of Kozhikode Medical college wears a mask as a precautionary measure on Monday. Those visiting the premises, including patients, bystanders, visitors, apart from students, doctors and teachers, are wearing surgical masks as a precautionary measure.
Usually crowded computerised Out Patient (OP) Counter at the Kozhikode Medical college seems deserted on Wednesday due to fear of Nipah virus infection.
At a way side lottery shop in Kozhikode people wearing masks. Tension prevails in Sooppikkada from where the deceased hailed and many residents have left the village.
A masked fruit vendor at his fruit shop in Kozhikode. Fruits sales are down in the district due to Nipah virus scare.
A security person at a Mall in Palazhi in Kozhikode city wearing a mask. One case of Nipah virus infection is reported in Palazhi.
Central Team members discussing the situation with Kerala Health minister K.K.Shylaja at Kozhikode Medical college on May 21, after Nipah virus (NiV) infection claimed three lives in Kozhikode district.
As part of precautionary measures, the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital has readied a 20-bed isolation ward for patients turning up with symptoms of Nipah virus infections.
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