Kerala Health Ministry officially confirmed that a 23-year-old engineering student from Ernakulam has been confirmed the presence of Nipah virus on Tuesday.
Kerala health minister KK Shailajah said four others, including two nurses who had come in close contact with the patient, have contracted fever. Post the announcement, Kerala has been put on high alert with precautionary notices spread via social media.
The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, on Tuesday confirmed that a Kerala youth being treated near Kochi has tested positive for Nipah virus (NIV). Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan immediately held an urgent meeting in Delhi and assured the state of Centre's support.
According to the WHO, Nipah virus is a newly emerging disease that can be transmitted from its reservoir (natural wildlife host), the flying foxes (fruit bats), to both animals and humans.
More news on the same will is updated soon.
(With inputs from PTI)
