KOZHIKODE: An alert has been issued in Kozhikode following the suspicion of Nipah. The health department has issued an alert in the district after two unusual deaths due to fever have been reported. Four relatives of the dead are undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of a private hospital with similar symptoms. It is reported that Nipah was confirmed in an examination.

Two people died in a private hospital in Kozhikode. The first death was reported on August 30. A 49-year-old native of Maruthonkara in Vadakara taluk was the first to die with Nipah symptoms. The second person, a native of Vadakara Thiruvallur, died with symptoms of Nipah yesterday. It is reported that both of them were in the same hospital at the same time.

The body fluids of the first patient dead could not be sent for testing. As suspicion arose, samples of the second patient were sent for testing. The test result from the Pune Virology Institute will be obtained this afternoon.

The second person died due to acute illness while undergoing treatment in the hospital. He was admitted in the hospital when the first person who died was undergoing treatment. His son showed symptoms and is under treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. The child's samples were sent for testing at Kozhikode Medical College. The condition of the nine-year-old boy is very serious. A high-level meeting was held yesterday to assess the situation under the leadership of Health Minister Veena George. The health department is trying to trace those who came in contact with the dead. District Collector has called a review meeting today.