After much speculation, the Kerala government has confirmed Nipah virus in a 23-year-old man who had been admitted to a private hospital in Ernakulam on May 30. The confirmation came in from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune on 4 June.
The State Government has asked people not to panic and stay alert.
Nipah Virus Symptoms, Treatment, Medicine, Origin and Prevention Live Updates
Kerala Govt in Constant Contact with Health Ministry After Nipah Virus Confirmation: CM Thiruvananthapuram
The Kerala government Tuesday said it is in "constant contact" with the Union Health ministry in the wake of confirmation about Nipah infecting a person in the state.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said there was no need to panic as the health network would rise up to the challenge.
“We are in constant contact with the Union ministry for health. A team of experts have arrived in Kochi. Their guidelines will also be used to tackle the virus outbreak,” Vijayan said in a Facebook Post.
"The news of confirmation should not be a reason for panic. Our health network is ready to rise up to the challenge," he said.
Under the supervision of the state health minister, all necessary preparations have been completed, Vijayan said, adding those who came in contact with the infected person, have been traced and are under observation.
"There's No Need to Panic": Dr Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan chaired a high level meeting on Nipah Virus in Kerala this morning. He has told all present to not panic and that he had assured Kerala Health Minister of "all possible support regarding”.
"Stringent Action Will Be Taken Against Those Who Spread Misinformation": CMO Kerala
The Chief Minister’s Office of Kerala has requested all to not panic and follow the instructions of the Health department. A team of experts had arrived in Kochi and is working towards containing the outbreak:
Nipah Virus: Samples of a Second Patient To Be Sent For Testing
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja has said that out of 86 suspected patients of Nipah, 2 were admitted. Now the sample of the second patient will be sent to National Institute of Virology in Alappuzha, Manipal Laboratory & Pune.