Kozhikode: India's Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday confirmed that the Nipah virus was the cause behind the two deaths in Kerala's Kozhikode district.
The Union Health Minister added that the four patients suspected to be infected with the Nipah virus are under observation, and their samples have been sent for testing. A Central team has been sent to Kerala to take stock of the situation and assist the state government in Nipah virus management, Mandaviya said in a press conference here. "I have spoken to the Health Minister of Kerala; there have been reports of this virus several times this season.
Cases are coming up, and bats spread this virus. A guideline has been prepared by the Health Ministry regarding this so that we can take precautions," Mandaviya said. The first death occurred on August 30, and the second on September 11. On Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the State government is viewing the two "unnatural deaths" reported from Kozhikode very seriously and that the health department has issued an alert in the district. Health officials suspect Nipah virus infection is behind the two "unnatural deaths" reported by a Kozhikode private hospital.
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