Two more test positive for Zika virus in state, both natives of Thiruvananthapuram, 13 samples tested negative

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Two more persons including a woman, tested positive for Zika virus in the state taking the total number of infections in the state to 21.

A 35-year-old man hailing from Poonthura and a 41-year-old woman, native of Sasthamangalam here, were found infected with the virus, state Health Minister Veena George said.

She urged people to be vigilant as the number of those testing positive for Zika virus has increased in the state.

The samples were tested at the virology lab at the government medical college here and at the Coimbatore-based laboratory respectively.

The testing for Zika virus began at the government medical college here on Monday, the minister said, adding that a total of 15 samples had been tested on the initial day.

One of the persons, whose sample was tested, was found positive for dengue and all the other 13 samples tested negative for any virus, the minister said.