No new Nipah-positive cases reported for fourth day in Kozhikode district

In Kerala, no new positive cases were reported for the fourth day in Kozhikode district. The health condition of the nine-year-old boy, who is Nipah positive, has further improved. The condition of three other Nipah positive patients under treatment have also become better. 

Health Minister Veena George said the ICMR has approved the Trunat test for the diagnosis of Nipah virus. Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the Minister said the test can be held in hospitals with Level -2 biosafety facilities and positive cases can be referred to the virology labs in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode for further confirmation. 



She said a zero surveillance study will be held  to find out the reason for the recurrance of  Nipah virus in Kozhikode.

Meanwhile, a team of central animal husbandry experts in Kozhikode collected samples of bats, wild boar, cats etc from the affected areas. The samples will be sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal.

In the tribal hamlets of Kodancherry village panchayat in Kozhikode, eight study centres will be opened for the benefit of tribal children, as the area is suffering due to poor online facilities.