Youth dies of Nipah virus in Kerala, symptoms found in 5 people who came in contact with him, see details

Malappuram (Kerala): The news of the death of a 24-year-old man due to Nipah virus infection has come to light in a private hospital in Malappuram district of Kerala. With this, the death toll due to Nipah virus infection has increased to two. Symptoms of infection have also been found in 5 people who came in contact with this person, who have been kept in quarantine. 

Kerala Health Minister Veena George gave information about this on Sunday. The Health Minister said that Nipah virus infection has been suspected after the Regional Medical Officer investigated the cause of death.

Health Minister Veena George said in a video message, "The available samples were immediately sent for testing and the result confirmed the infection." The deceased person had come to Kerala from Bengaluru a few days ago. 

He was a resident of Malappuram in the state of Kerala. He died on September 9, after which his available samples were sent to the laboratory of Kozhikode Medical College and Hospital for testing.

Health Minister holds high-level meeting

After examining the samples, Malappuram health officials said that the infection was confirmed in the results of Kozhikode Medical College. After this, Health Minister Veena George held a high-level meeting on Saturday night and took necessary steps as per the protocol. Meanwhile, the infection was also confirmed in the results of the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune on Sunday.

People who came in contact have been quarantined

Health Minister Veena George said that 16 committees were formed on Saturday night itself and a list of 151 people who came in contact with the infected person has also been prepared. He said that the said infected person had traveled to various places with his friends. Now the people who came in close contact with him have been kept in quarantine.

The Health Minister said, "Mild fever and other symptoms have been found in five people kept in quarantine. Their samples have been sent for testing.” 

It is worth noting that a boy from Malappuram, who was undergoing treatment for Nipah infection, had died on July 21. This was the first confirmed case of Nipah infection in the state this year.