Still awaiting results from NIV Pune: Kerala Health Minister Veena George

THIRUVANANATHPURAM: Even as Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed on Tuesday that the two deaths in Kerala were caused by the Nipah virus, his counterpart in the state, Veena George said her government was still awaiting results from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, George said, "We are still awaiting results from NIV Pune. After receiving news of confirmation (of Nipah virus), I contacted NIV Pune which said the tests were still ongoing. We have also conducted tests in Kerala and strongly suspect Nipah virus infection (behind the two deaths). But an official declaration can be made only once the test results from Pune arrive."

Earlier, on Tuesday, Union Health Minister Mandaviya confirmed that the two deaths in Kerala's Kozhikode district were caused by the Nipah virus. He added that currently, four patients, suspected to be infected with the Nipah virus, are under surveillance and their samples have been sent for testing. "I have spoken to the Health Minister of Kerala. There have been reports of this virus several times this season. Cases are being reported. This virus is spread by bats.

A guideline has been prepared by the Health Ministry regarding this virus so that we can take necessary precautions," Mandaviya said. The first death took place on August 30 and the second on September 11.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said his government was viewing the two “unnatural deaths” reported from Kozhikode very seriously and that the health department has issued an alert in the district. Health officials said they suspect Nipah virus infection to be the cause of the two “unnatural deaths” reported from a private hospital in Kozhikode.

The state department issued an alert in the district in the wake of the two deaths, after a review meeting chaired by George. There was a Nipah outbreak in the Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in 2018 and later, in 2021, a Nipah case was reported in Kozhikode.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus infection is caused by fruit bats and is potentially fatal for humans as well as animals. Along with respiratory illness, it is also known to cause fever, muscular pain, headache, fever, dizziness, and nausea.