Kochi, June 6: After a youth in Kerala was tested positive for Nipah virus (NiV) on Wednesday, border areas of neighbouring states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were put on high alert. According to a report by The News Minute, eight districts in Karnataka and seven districts in Tamil Nadu were put on high alert after a positive case of the deadly virus was confirmed in Kochi's Ernakulam district. The districts where alert has been sounded share border with Kerala.  Nipah Virus Can Be Beaten By the Drug Used to Treat Ebola: Reports.

According to the report, in Karnataka, the districts that have been put on high alert include Chamrajnagar, Mysuru, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, and Chikamagaluru while in Tamil Nadu- alert has been sounded in Kanyakumari, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Ooty, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, and Theni.  Nipah Virus: How Does the Infection Spread? What You Can Do to Prevent It. 

Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja on Wednesday revealed that the condition of the 21-year-old patient, who was tested positive for Nipah, is now stable.  She added saying that five people have been kept in isolation and 314 people from Thrissur, Paravur in Ernakulam district, and Thodupuzha in Idukki were also under observation. The ones who are kept in isolation include three nurses who treated him, a friend and another person.  What is Nipah Virus? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Preventive Measures of the Bat-Borne Illness.

On June 5, Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan is closely monitoring the situation arising out of reported cases of Nipah Virus in Kerala. “I urge the people not to panic as the Government is leaving no stone unturned to remedy the situation. I am personally reviewing the situation with the State Health Minister of Kerala, Smt K. K. Shailaja on a regular basis", Vardhan said.

In May 2018, 17 people were killed due to Nipah Virus in Kerala. The deadly virus is spread to humans from animals. As of now, there is no cure or vaccine for the virus. However, treatment is largely based on giving the person symptomatic support and care.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 06, 2019 11:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).