Kerala Health Minister K.K.Shailaja on Tuesday confirmed that the youth being treated near Kochi has tested positive for Nipah virus (NiV). The test was confirmed by the Pune based National Institute of Virology.
She also assured that elaborate arrangements have been made to tackle the emergency and there was no need for panic.
The state that witnesses 12 deaths to NiV, with 22 positive cases reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts last year in May, was waiting for the blood reports of youth since Monday. The Ernakulam health authorities said the youth was being treated at a private hospital near Kochi.
Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said the Kerala government was taking precautionary actions and closely monitoring the situation after a suspected case of Nipah virus was reported in Kochi.
"The government is closely monitoring the current situation," Vijayan said in a Facebook post and urged everyone to follow the instructions of the Health Department.
"No one needs to be afraid. Be alert. The Health Department is all set to face any situation," he had said.
The chief minister had also asked people not to indulge in fake campaigns about the Nipah virus on social media.
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