Malayalam television channel, Manorama News, quoted Kerala Health Minister KK KK Shylaja as saying that some of the symptoms for Nipah virus have been confirmed for a young man admitted to a private hospital in Kochi.
We suspect that the patient in Ernakulam is infected with Nipah virus. The test results from Alappuzha virology institute indicates this. However, we need more tests to be sure. We are awaiting results of Pune virology centre.KK Shylaja
Chief Minister’s Office, Kerala, has also tweeted that the government is taking a series of measures to address the situation, and that there is no need to panic.
This comes after officials from Kerala rejected the social media reports on the confirmation as ‘baseless’, asking people to wait for an official announcement after medical examinations. In a statement, Ernakulam District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla had said that usual medical examinations were carried out on patients coming with the symptoms of Nipah virus.
Last year, Nipah virus had claimed 17 lives-14 in Kozhikode and three in neighbouring Malappuram district.
(This is a developing story and it will be updated as more details emerge)
(With inputs from PTI)
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