Health Scare: 14-Year-Old Tests Positive For Nipah Virus In Malappuram District Of Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: In Kerala, the Nipah virus has been confirmed in a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, the test conducted at the National Institute of Virology, Pune has returned positive. Tests conducted in two laboratories in Kerala also turned positive. The child is currently undergoing treatment at Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode. The minister said that the state is fully prepared to handle the situation and steps have been taken as per Nipah protocol. A control room has also started in Malappuram district. Relatives who had close contact with the child are being observed. The monoclonal antibody required for the treatment, sent from NIV Pune, is expected to reach Kozhikode on Saturday.