Nipah Virus: No New Cases in Kerala for 4th Day; Study on Recurrence of Infection to be Conducted – News18
Last Updated: September 20, 2023, 20:12 IST
Kerala health minister Veena George said that the state will continue to monitor the spread of Nipah Virus. (Photo: PTI File)
Nipah Virus Updates: Kerala will conduct a seroprevalence study on the recurring Nipah infection in Kozhikode
Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday said that no new Nipah virus infections were found in the state for the fourth consecutive day adding that the health department continues to maintain strict vigilance on the spread and prevention of any further infection.
Giving details on the number of infections, the health minister said that out of the 323 samples which were sent for analysis, 317 samples tested negative while six samples tested positive till now. 11Â persons in isolation and their test results have come out negative.
” Since Tuesday, 61 samples have been tested for Nipah Virus and they all turned out to be negative. The condition of all the patients who were indicted is now stable, as per the doctors’ report,” she added.
The health minister further added that the 9-year-old boy, who was said to be critical earlier, is also showing good signs of improvement.
Possibility of Second Wave of Nipah Virus Can’t Be Ruled Out: CM Vijayan
Earlier on Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured people that the Nipah outbreak reported from Kozhikode district is under control now, but the threat of the infectious disease is not over yet in the state.
At present, it is not possible to rule out the chance of a second wave of the Nipah outbreak, he said.
The chief minister also informed that a review meeting was conducted where health experts suggested that the possibility of a second wave is very remote but cannot be completely ruled out.
CM Says Study on Cause of Nipah Infection Will Be Done: CM
Vijayan in his press briefing said that Kerala will conduct a seroprevalence study on the Nipah virus being repeatedly found in Kozhikode district.
“Even the ICMR does not give a clear answer to why the disease is recurring in Kozhikode. In this regard, the state has decided to conduct a zero surveillance study. The health department has been directed to prepare a detailed proposal for this,” PTI quoted Vijayan as saying.
The chief minister further informed that research which involves collecting samples without catching bats would be carried out with the help of the Institute of Advanced Virology.
(With inputs from ANI/PTI)
