Presence of Nipah found on bats in Kozhikode, further study needed, says Health Minister

KOZHIKODE: The presence of Nipah was found in various samples collected by health experts following the death of the 12-year-old boy in Chathamangalam. Tests on two species of bats collected from here revealed antibodies against the Nipah virus. The detection of antibodies confirms the presence of Nipah virus in their body. The findings are based on a test conducted at the Institute of Virology, Pune.

With this, hints to the source of Nipah which appeared thrice in the state, has been obtained. Nipah was first reported in Perambra three years ago. However, the tests conducted at that time did not reveal the source of the virus. This time the central team had collected samples of bats, wild boar and goats in addition to fruits from various places. Tests confirmed the presence of Nipah in bats.

Meantime, the isolation ward set up at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital is completely empty. Yet the ward is not closed. The area can be declared disease free only 42 days after the last reported case. With the removal of the containment zone, there are no restrictions in and around Chathamangalam. So far, samples of 164 people with symptoms have been tested. None of them was diagnosed with the disease.