Nipah virus scare returns to Kerala

Nipah scare returned to Kerala, with two deaths reported from Kozhikode district on Tuesday.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed that the deaths were due to Nipah virus.

He said four suspected cases are currently under surveillance and their samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

A Central government team of four experts has also been sent to Kerala to assist the State government in surveillance and reduction in the response time, said the Minister.

Dr. Mandaviya added that government medical colleges in Kerala were issued guidelines on the precautions to be taken and also provided with protective kits.

“This isn’t a new virus, and we have some experience with this,” said the Minister.

Asked if India is looking at importing drugs to treat the Nipah virus patients, the Minister said that “no such cause or need has presented itself as of now.”