498 people currently on Nipah virus contact list in Kerala, two from Ernakulam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George revealed that a total of 498 people were on the Nipah contact list in the state. 203 are in Malappuram district, 116 in Kozhikode, 177 in Palakkad and 2 in Ernakulam. 11 people are under treatment in Malappuram. Among these, two are in the intensive care unit.

So far, 46 samples have tested negative in the Malappuram district. Three people are under treatment in isolation in Palakkad.

In Palakkad district, five people tested negative while two were discharged from the hospital. A total of 29 people in the highest risk category and 116 people in the high risk category are under observation in the state. The confirmed Nipah patient is undergoing treatment in the ICU in Kozhikode.

The test result of a 78-year-old woman who was in the contact list of a person who died in Malappuram has come back negative. The minister directed to continue the preventive activities as per the Nipah calendar vigorously till September. The Pune ICMR-BATS team reached Palakkad and collected samples. The NCDC team also reached out and held discussions.

A high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Minister. Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, NHM State Mission Director, Director, Health Department, Director, Medical Education Department, Additional Directors, District Collectors, District Medical Officers, Police Officers, and various department officials attended the meeting.