KOZHIKODE: The child who was under treatment for West Nile fever died here on Monday. Muhammad Shan (6), a Vengara native, is the deceased. He was on treatment for the past one week at Kozhikode Medical College.

Virus infection usually affects the brain. Migrating birds are said to be the source of this virus and is transmitted through mosquitoes. The central expert team collected blood samples from animals and birds near the residence of Shan. The severity of the disease can only be determined through blood sample tests. People are anxious after the death of the child.

Shan was a resident of Koduvayur Azad nagar and the son of Chekutty and Nazeer. The end came at early morning at around 3:30 am.

Shan was admitted in a private hospital in Kottakkal on February 17 after he had high fever. Later he was shifted to Kozhikode Medical College as his condition didn’t improve. He spent altogether 24 days in two hospitals.

Secretion from child’s body and blood samples were sent to Manipal virology institute and it was confirmed to be West Nile virus. Only after this he was shifted to the Medical College.

Health officials on Monday reached the house of the child and collected mosquiotoes from his parents’ home town and sent to Alappuzha Virology institute for examination.

A crow’s carcass found at A R Nagar was sent to Haryana Hisar for tests, the result of which will be obtained on Thursday. The source of the infection is yet to be traced. Since February 1, the child was at the house of mother’s house at Venniyoor. Here the mosquito population is high.

The health department has intensified anti-mosquito drive in the area and they have collected blood samples from 75 houses.

Muhammed Shahan is the UKG student of A R Nagar Pukayoor Malabar Central School. The last rite was held at Koduvayoor Fasalia Juma Masjid Kabarsthan. Fathima is his sister.

Meanwhile State Health Minister sought to allay the fears of the people over the disease. She said all arrangements have been made to bring the disease under control.