No new Nipah case for two days, situation under control: Kerala minister

Nipah, cases of which surfaced in Kozhikode district last week for the third time in the last five years, has infected six persons, and two of them died. Four patients are undergoing treatment.

Participants during the 'snake boats' competition held on the backwaters, at Ernakulam Marine Drive, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (PTI Photo)

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As Kerala did not report a new case of Nipah virus for the second consecutive day, state health Minister Veena George on Sunday said genomic sequencing of the virus will be done.

Nipah, cases of which surfaced in Kozhikode district last week for the third time in the last five years, has infected six persons, and two of them died. Four patients are undergoing treatment.

After a review, the health minister said: “There is no second wave of Nipah in 2023. However, this will be ascertained by conducting a genomic sequencing of the virus to know whether any mutation had happened.’’

Also Read | How Kerala’s fight against the Nipah virus has evolved over the years

She said the condition of the nine-year-old boy, who is on life support after testing positive for the virus, is improving. “Samples of 136 persons have tested negative for the virus. At present, things are under control,’’ she said.

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