Two health workers show symptoms of Nipah virus infection

Kozhikode, Sep 05 (PTI): Two more people have been identified with symptoms of Nipah virus infection, Kerala health minister Veen George said here on Sunday.
The two are among the 20 high risk contacts of the deceased 12-year-old child, she said.
“We have identified 188 contacts till now. The surveillance team have marked 20 of them as high risk contacts. Two of these high risk contacts have symptoms. Both are health workers. One works with a private hospital, while the other is a staff member of Kozhikode Medical College hospital,” she told reporters after chairing a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation.
She said all the 20 high risk contacts will be shifted to the Kozhikode Medical College by evening, while other contacts of the child have been asked to remain in isolation. The pay ward at the Medical College Hospital has been completely converted into a dedicated Nipah ward, she said. The boy died at a hospital here early this morning. The samples of the boy, which were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, confirmed the presence of the virus.

Last rites of Nipah infected child done

Kozhikode: The 12-year-old boy who passed away early this morning due to Nipah virus infection here was laid to rest at nearby Kannambarath Khabaristan by the health department officials after following complete health protocol. The officials, clad in PPE kits, performed the last rites. Only a few close relatives wearing similar gear, were in attendance. The Kozhikode corporation health staff sanitised the entire area after the rituals. Later the body was buried in a 12 foot specially prepared grave. The boy from nearby Mavoor died of Nipah at a hospital here in the wee hours on Sunday. Samples of the boy, which were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, confirmed the presence of the virus. Local authorities have geared up to check further spread of the virus in Kozhikode and surrounding areas.