Kerala: 14-year-old tests positive for Nipah virus in Malappuram; govt issues alert

A 14-year-old boy has been examined positive for Nipah virus in Kerala’s Malappuram, Health Minister Veena George mentioned on Saturday.

Health Minister Veena George mentioned, “NIV Pune has confirmed that the suspected case of a 14-year-old boy is Nipah positive. A contact list of the boys will be prepared and the samples of those in a high-risk category will be sent for testing. A meeting will be held with the district collector and district police chief to discuss the restrictions to be imposed in the 3 km radius of the epicentre. Residents of Malappuram should wear masks compulsory and remain cautious.”

Earlier, Veena George convened a high-level assembly on Saturday in the Malappuram district after experiences of a suspected case of the ‘Nipah’ virus in the state.

The assembly mentioned the measures to be taken to stop the unfold of the virus and to make sure the security of the general public. The officers additionally reviewed the present state of affairs and the steps taken to this point to manage the outbreak.

Minister Veena George reached Malappuram to guide the efforts to manage the outbreak. The authorities has additionally constituted committees to supervise the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Nipah virus management.

The assembly was attended by high officers, together with the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the Director of the National Health Mission, and the District Collectors of Malappuram and Kozhikode.

As per officers, the samples of the suspected affected person have been despatched to the Pune virology lab.

Last month, the Kerala Health Minister introduced that Nipah prevention efforts can be intensified in the state, notably through the essential months of May to September, when the virus is more than likely to unfold.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA workers and is revealed from ANI)