IN A relief for the Kerala Government, no fresh positive cases of Nipah virus were reported on Saturday in the state even as five more persons, who came into contact with those infected, showing some symptoms of the disease were admitted in isolation at the medical hospital here. Kerala Health Minister Veena George, at a press briefing in the evening, said that in a relief for the state, no fresh positive cases were reported during the day. However, results of 51 samples sent for testing were awaited, she said. The minister also said five more persons, who had come into contact with the infected persons, were admitted in the hospital, after showing symptoms of Nipah infection.

 

“Their samples have also been sent for testing,” she said. At present, six cases of Nipah infection have been confirmed in the state. Of the six, two persons have died bringing the number of active cases to 4. The minister said the number of people who were suspected of coming into contact with those infected has risen to 1,192, with 97 persons being traced today. Additionally, house surveillance was carried out in 22,208 homes in the containment zones till date, she said. George also said that all the cases so far have emanated from the first person infected -- the index case -- who died on August 30. “So, as of now, there is no secondary wave.

 

That is welcome news,” she said at the press briefing which was also attended by State Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas. Centre to procure 20 more doses of monoclonal antibody from Australia for Nipah treatment: WITH the new Nipah infection in Kerala taking the total number of active cases to four, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has decided to procure from Australia 20 more doses of monoclonal antibody for its treatment. Intensifying its efforts to contain the spread of the virus, the State Government also decided to test everyone who is on the high-risk contact list of the infected persons.