Efforts to find source of Nipah continue, seven more samples sent to Pune, says health minister

KOZHIKODE: Efforts are on to trace the source of the Nipah virus, said Health Minister Veena George. The minister said that all measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease and steps have been intensified to make the contact list flawless.

There are presently 188 people in the contact list. Twenty including three with symptoms are being observed at the medical college. Seven more samples have also been sent to Pune. The minister told reporters that Asha workers have started working in the area to monitor more people.

Meantime, Minister A K Saseendran said the initial conclusion of the central team is that the Nipah virus is possible to spread from Rambutan. The central team expressed satisfaction with the defensive activities. The Union Ministry of Health assessed the situation.