THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government confirmed a case of Nipah virus again in the state. Health Minister K K Shylaja confirmed the presence of Nipah virus on the 23-year-old youth undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi, at the press meet convened here. The virus on the patient was confirmed following the results of blood samples of the student, which were tested at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, have confirmed Nipah, she said. The result came this morning, she said.

The minister asked the people not to panic as the government has taken all precautionary measures to defend the virus. As the presence of virus was confirmed on the youth, the list of his relatives has been collected. They are under special observation. Two of his relatives are found having minor fever. All arrangements for their treatment have been taken. Two nurses who treated the patient in the first phase complained of minor throat pain and they are now under observation.

The centre has promised all support. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan contacted me and evaluated things. The antibiotic brought from Australia last time is in stock at the national virology institute. The centre has agreed to make it obtain in Kerala. Two doctors from the state were given training for it.