A seven year old boy from Malappuram in Kerala who was suffering from West Nile disease died in Kozhikode medical college on Monday morning.
The deceased was identified as Mohamad Shan. Authorities have issued a high alert in Kerala's north Malabar region following Shan's passing, but no other case has been reported.
Earlier, a central team was sent to Kerala to review the situation and also help the district administration in its prevention and management.
The virus is transmitted to humans through a mosquito bite and is mostly reported in North America. Affected people complain of fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
The Health Ministry has dispatched a four-member multi-disciplinary central team from National Centre for Disease Control. The team will support the state health authorities in managing the disease.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has also been alerted and a close watch is being maintained at the central and state levels, the statement said.
"There are no reports available so far about the spread of this virus in other parts of the country," it said.
(With inputs from PTI)
