1 more tested positive for Nipah in Kerala, 6 negative

Out of the seven patients who were admitted to the hospital suspecting Nipah virus infection, one has been tested positive while the other six have been tested negative.

Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja said at a press briefing in Kochi on Thursday, "Seven patients are admitted to hospital, one patient's result is positive for Nipah virus. Six patients' results are negative.

"No one has been discharged from the isolation ward. Source of the virus is not confirmed yet."

On the other hand, two persons suffering from high fever were put under observation at Trivandrum Medical College on Thursday. Their samples have been sent for examination.

On June 4, a 23-old-man had tested positive for Nipah virus infection, which killed 17 people in Kerala last year.

As of now, a total of 15 people are under observation in the state.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan had on June 4 said that the Centre had rushed a team of doctors to Kerala for investigation in the wake of the scare of Nipah virus.

Vardhan had asserted that he is 'very vigorously' following the situation.

Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans and then spreads through people to people contact, causing respiratory illness.Its symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, fever, dizziness and nausea.

Karnataka sounds alert

Following the Nipah outbreak report, the Karnataka government has sounded alert in eight districts, including those on the borders of Kerala.

The Health Department in Karnataka issued a circular asking administration in Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts to immediately convene inter-departmental coordination committee meetings, including veterinary department, Indian Medical Association and Indian Academy of Pediatrics.

Authorities in these eight districts have been directed to identify two isolation beds to quarantine suspected human cases.

They have been asked to keep all the logistics available at all levels, read the circular.

The department has also asked district authorities to direct government and private hospitals to keep an eye on suspected cases.

Once a patient shows symptoms of Nipah, the hospitals have to monitor acute encephalitis syndrome, check all vital parameters and take travel history of patients.

The district hospitals should have an ICU with ventilator facilities and capacity to receive emergency cases, it read.

The department asked the districts to furnish daily outbreak report regarding Nipah virus.

It also directed authorities to sensitise health assistants and ASHA workers.

With PTI inputs