Kerala's Malappuram district has reported its second Nipah virus-related death this year, with a 24-year-old student succumbing to the virus on September 9 after returning from Bengaluru. The state health minister, Veena George, confirmed the Nipah diagnosis following tests at the National Institute of Virology in Pune. Currently, 151 individuals who had primary contact with the deceased are under surveillance, and five have exhibited mild symptoms, prompting further testing. In response, containment measures including the closure of educational institutions and public gathering limits have been enforced in affected areas. Fruit bats, identified as natural hosts of the virus, continue to pose a significant risk as the virus has a fatality rate of up to 75% and lacks both vaccine and specific treatment options. The state has faced multiple outbreaks since 2018, making it highly vulnerable to the virus, as noted by the World Health Organization.