Kerala became free of Nipah virus weeks after the state reported an outbreak in Kozhikode district. Confirming the same, Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday said that four people including a nine-year-old boy who was receiving treatment for Nipah virus tested double negative in Kozhikode district. Overall six cases of Nipah virus were reported in Kozhikode of which two persons died of infection.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, "Four people including a nine-year-old boy, who were under treatment in Kozhikode for Nipah virus, have recovered and tested double negative (two samples tested in intervals)."
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Nipah Outbreak In Kozhikode
Initially, the state first identified the index case early this month. A man who had died on August 30 while exhibiting Nipah symptoms later tested positive for the infection. His nine-year-old son and brother-in-law who were also admitted to the hospital with similar symptoms were also tested and were also found to be infected with the virus.
Two others including a healthcare worker who came in contact with the Nipah patients contracted the infection at the hospital.
On September 11, the state recorded a second fatality due to Nipah. The patient had also been in contact with the index case.
After over 15 days, the four patients including the four-year-old boy who was receiving treatment for the virus tested double negative.
However, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan earlier said that it was impossible to rule out the possibility of a second Nipah epidemic even as Nipah outbreak was contained in Kozhikode district.
"It cannot be said that the threat of Nipah is completely over. Early detection of the virus averted a dangerous situation," the CM said, as reported by PTI.