Nipah Virus Scare in Kerala's Wayanad District as Bats Test Positive, Health Minister Veena George Asks Health Professionals To Be Alert

Thiruvananthapuram, October 25: A month after the Nipah scare abated in Kerala's Kozhikode district, State Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday informed that the ICMR tests conducted on bats from neighbouring Wayanad district have turned out positive. Nipah Virus Outbreak in Kerala: UK Health Leaders Closely Monitoring NiV Virus Scare in India, Says Report.

While interacting with media, George pointed out that the bat samples collected from Sulthan Bathery and Manathavady areas in Wayanad district have tested positive for the virus. "The need of the hour is that alert health professionals should leave nothing to chance when they engage in routine work of examining patients. There should be a cautious approach," said George. Nipah Virus in Kerala: Four People Including Minor Boy Have Recovered and Tested Double Negative, Says Health Minister Veena George.

Incidentally, it was during the second week of September that the medical authorities in Kozhikode suspected an outbreak of the virus after two patients died of suspected Nipah symptoms. Kozhikode had witnessed two Nipah deaths and six positive cases. Over 1000 samples were sent for testing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2023 01:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).