Efforts intensified to trace Nipah virus source: Kerala Health Minister

@the_news_21

Kerala Health Minister Veena George says efforts have been intensified to trace the source of the Nipah virus that claimed the life of a 12 year old boy in Kozhikode yesterday. Speaking to media persons in Kozhikode today, the minister said 188 persons have been identified to have come into contact with the deceased boy so far. She said the list is likely to grow further.

Samples of seven persons, who were in the high risk group, who came into close contact with the boy, have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

She said more health workers will be deployed to tackle the situation.

Meanwhile, a team of experts from the Centre for Disease Control visited the affected wards in Kozhikode district last evening and collected samples of fruits from the region. Nipah virus, found in fruit bats is a zoonotic virus, transmitted from animals to humans.