West Nile virus in India: Kerala

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Kerala State Government reported 9 confirmed cases, 16 suspected cases and 2 suspected deaths from West Nile fever in May 2024. This brings the total of confirmed and suspected cases in 2020 to 30.

According to media these cases have been reported from the Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur districts of Kerala.

West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause a flu-like illness, sometimes leading to severe or life-threatening disease.

Advice for Travellers

Travellers to affected areas should be advised to:

• practice mosquito bite avoidance measures at all times, especially at dusk and dawn during peak transmission times and when outbreaks are known to be occurring
• seek medical advice if they develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms with fever following travel to a risk area

There is no vaccine against West Nile virus.

Note for blood donors: those who have recently travelled to an area with West Nile virus transmission may need to wait or be tested for the virus before their blood is accepted.

• see the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website for further details

For further information see TRAVAX West Nile Fever page.