Nipah Virus: Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja on Tuesday confirmed a positive case of Nipah virus in the state. One person from Kochi's Ernakulam was tested positive in the results that came from Pune Virology Institute. The National Institute of Virology, which tested the man's blood samples, confirmed the presence of the virus. The 23-year-old studied in a college in Thodupuzha in Idukki and had stayed in Thrissur recently. According to Thrissur district medical officer, the student was in Thrissur only for four days and had been suffering from fever. The Kerala government has meanwhile asked people not to panic.

The Kerala government on Monday said a college student in Kochi is suspected to have been infected with the Nipah virus but a final confirmation was awaited from the National Institute of Virology in Pune. Shailaja told media that a list of 86 people who have interacted with the student has been prepared and they were under medical observation. The Kerala Health department has initiated precautionary measures to deal with the possible outbreak of Nipah virus.

Instilling confidence among the people, the minister said there was no need for any concern and the government, which successfully battled the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts last year, was fully capable of dealing with the situation. The minister appealed to social media users not to create panic among the public.

Medical experts from Kozhikode have already reached Kochi and there are enough medicines and medical equipment to deal with the situation, she said. Health workers are being imparted training in case the test in Pune institute is positive and more cases are reported.

In the latest update, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said he has assured the Kerala Health Minister of all possible support from the Central government.  "Today morning I have called a meeting at my residence with all the officers including health secretary. Yesterday itself we had dispatched a team of six officers to Kerala," he said. " I have assured the Kerala Health Minister of all possible support from the Central govt. We are also in touch with wildlife department to seek their help for subjecting the bats for testing of the virus. I don't think there is any need to panic," he added.

About Nipah Virus and its symptoms


• According to the WHO, Nipah virus is a newly emerging disease that can be transmitted from its reservoir (natural wildlife host), the flying foxes (fruit bats), to both animals and humans.

• It takes its name from Sungai Nipah, a village in Malaysia where it was first identified.

• Human infection can range from asymptomatic infection, acute respiratory infection (mild, severe), and fatal encephalitis.

• Infected people initially develop influenza-like symptoms of fever, headache, myalgia, vomiting and sore throat.

• This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis.

• Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress.

• Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.

• Last year, the WHO had said, "In the outbreak in Kerala, we are seeing patients with encephalitis, myocarditis and acute respiratory infection.

On May 19, 2018, Nipah virus disease (NiV) outbreak was reported from Kozhikode in Malappuram district. As per state government figures, the Nipah virus had claimed 17 lives -- 14 in Kozhikode and three in neighbouring Malappuram in May last year.

(With PTI inputs)