Nipah Scare: Virus cases in Kerala rise to 6; Karnataka issues advisory for bordering districts

Thiruvananthapuram: One more case of Nipah virus has been confirmed in Kerala, in a 39-year-old man in Kozhikode, pushing up the number of active cases of the brain-damaging virus in the State to four, state health department said on Friday.

With this the total tally of Nipah virus infections from the virus in Kerala has been recorded at six, including two deaths. 

According to the state health minister’s office, the 39-year-old patient is under observation in a hospital in Kozhikode. The state government has strengthened measures to prevent the spread of the infection.

Two deaths from the Nipah virus in Kozhikode took place on August 30 and September 11. 

Also Read | Kerala: 14-year-old who tested positive for Nipah virus succumbs to disease

Kerala has shut some schools and offices this week as officials raced to halt the spread of the deadly Nipah virus, after two people succumbed in the fourth outbreak of the virus since the year 2018.

Affected gram panchayats in the Kozhikode area have been declared as quarantine zones.

Samples of 15 people of those in the high-risk category in the contact list have been sent for testing.

High-level teams from the Centre and ICMR-NIV with mobile units equipped with BSL-3 (Biosafety Level 3) laboratory have reached Kozhikode and for on-ground testing.

Also Read | Kerala offers job to Nipah victim nurse's husband

Meanwhile, the government of the neighbouring State of Karnataka has issued a circular and has advised the general public to avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas of Kerala. 

It has also directed the official to intensify surveillance in the bordering districts to Kerala (Kodagu, Dakshin Kannada, Chamrajanagara and Mysore) and at the points of entry to Karnataka. (with Agency inputs)

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