Kerala Health Minister Confirms More Negative Results in Nipah Virus Outbreak

Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed six more negative results in the Nipah virus outbreak. A review meeting found no new contacts as of Saturday. Currently, 267 people remain on the contact list while psychological support continues. Two new symptomatic individuals were admitted to hospital.

In a significant development, Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced on Saturday that six additional individuals related to the Nipah virus outbreak have tested negative. According to the Health Minister's Office, a total of 74 test results have returned negative as of September 21.

The current situation was reviewed during a meeting led by Health Minister Veena George. It was determined that no new individuals were added to the contact list on Saturday. As it stands, 267 people remain on the contact list, which includes 81 healthcare workers. Among them, 177 are primary contacts and 90 are secondary contacts. Notably, 134 primary contacts are categorized as high-risk.

Two individuals exhibiting symptoms were admitted to Manjeri Medical College Hospital on Saturday, increasing the total number of symptomatic patients at the facility to four. Additionally, 28 individuals are undergoing treatment at MES Medical College Hospital in Perinthalmanna.

Extensive psychological support is being provided to those on the contact list, with 274 individuals, including the six new cases, receiving assistance via a call center on Saturday. Previously, on September 17, Veena George had met Union Health Minister JP Nadda in Delhi to discuss the Nipah outbreak in Malappuram.

Kerala has previously experienced outbreaks of Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD), with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)