‘Two Deaths In Kozhikode Caused By Nipah Virus, Confirms Centre’

The central health ministry on Tuesday confirmed that the deaths of two persons that took place in Kerala's Kozhikode district was caused by 'Nipah Virus'.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said samples sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology in Pune matched with one of the deceased and four of his kin.

He further said that a team of experts from the centre has been sent to the state to understand the situation and help the state government combat Nipah virus infection.

Meanwhile a control room has already been set up in the Kerala government and people are strictly advised to use masks as a precautionary measure.

Showing concern over the issue, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that 16 committees have been formed to handle the situation and the hospitals and the health workers have been directed to use PPE kits and follow the infection control protocol.

Earlier in the day, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan while addressing the situation said that the state government is serious about the prevailing situation and has taken precautionary measures to deal with it.

The first case of Nipah virus was found in South India in Kozhikode on May 19, 2018.

What is Nipah virus?

Nipah virus is an infection that is transmitted to people from animals and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person-to-person, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The affected people suffer from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs.