Woman tested positive for Nipah in critical condition; 49 in contact list, six with symptoms

MALAPPURAM: The woman, who tested positive for Nipah virus in Valanchery, is in a critical condition. Health Minister Veena George said the patient in the ventilator of a private hospital in Perinthalmanna has been given monoclonal antibody.

The minister said 49 people are on the contact list and of these, 45 are in high-risk contacts. 12 are family members. Of these, a total of six are symptomatic. Five of them are undergoing treatment at Manjeri Medical College. One is in isolation in Ernakulam. The minister also said that samples of those with symptoms have been collected.

25 committees have been formed for preventive measures. Tests will also be conducted in nearby districts. The minister said that an investigation has been started into the source and that a sample of the cat's saliva that died near the house where the disease was confirmed has been sent for testing. The route map of the patient was also released.

The results of the test conducted at the Pune Virology Institute came yesterday. She has been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Perinthalmanna with symptoms including fever for more than four days. The test was conducted after Nipah symptoms were noticed. The source of the disease is not yet clear. This is the first time that Nipah has been confirmed in Kerala this year.