Nipah virus infection under control, says Kerala Health Minister

No fresh cases have been reported in the state and the 42 samples tested on Saturday, including the 23 people in the high-risk category, tested negative.

Talking to news persons after a review meeting, George said the health condition of four positive people, who were in the isolation wards in different hospitals, is stable.

The 9-year-old boy, who is on ventilator support, is improving.

The sample results of 39 people were being awaited.

She also said the preparation of a comprehensive contact list was going on under 19 teams and the health department sought the help of police by tracing the mobile phones and identifying the mobile phone tower of the people, who came in the contact list of six positive cases in the district.

The contact list of people came under five districts apart from Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Thrissur.

To a question about the time period for exercising caution in the wake of the recent outbreak of the Nipah virus, the Minister said "According to protocol and guidelines double incubation period of 42 days from the last positive case reported is considered as the period of days followed by all people. People should always wear masks and maintain guidelines at the hospital, only one acquaintance of the patient is allowed in the hospital."

Meanwhile, the classes and exams of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Chathamangalam have been suspended up to September 23.

Only online classes are allowed from Monday.

The exams of Calicut University, earlier slated to be held from September 18 to 23, also stood postponed, a release said.

(With UNI inputs)