MALAPPURAM: It has been confirmed that the 24-year-old man who died at a private hospital in Malappuram district the other day was infected with Nipah. This was announced by Health Minister Veena George. Nipah was suspected when the medical officer conducted a death investigation after the patient exhibited symptoms of encephalitis. He was later tested positive for Nipah in a test conducted at Kozhikode Medical College. The result from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, was also positive.

Following this, an emergency high-level meeting was held last night under the chairmanship of the health minister. 16 committees have been formed as per protocol. So far, the 24-year-old has come in primary contact with 151 people. He sought treatment at four private hospitals and medical facilities. He also went to some places with his friends. All of them have been isolated. Five people in isolation have minor fever. Their samples were then sent for testing. Masks have been made mandatory in Thiruvalli panchayat. Two persons with fever have been admitted to the hospital. The youth, a student from Bengaluru, had died on Monday.

There was a Nipah threat in July as well. A 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad died of the disease that day.