Kerala on alert: Second Nipah virus death confirmed, 46 close contacts traced

Kerala faces a renewed Nipah virus scare as a 57-year-old man from Palakkad becomes the second fatality this month. Health authorities have identified 46 close contacts and are using CCTV footage and mobile data for contact tracing. The government has issued a health advisory urging people to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Six districts are on high alert, with masks made compulsory in containment zones. The virus has appeared in new districts like Palakkad, raising concerns. The outbreak has occurred consistently in the last three years, with a high fatality rate compared to COVID-19.