Malappuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that a 14-year-old boy from Perinthalmanna has tested positive for the Nipah virus in the state. The initial test conducted at the lab in Kozhikode returned positive for the virus. However, she added that the official confirmation will be awaited until the test results from the Pune Virology Institute are received.

The boy is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kozhikode. Minister George has stated that the government is actively gathering details of all individuals who have had contact with the boy. Additionally, she announced the establishment of a control room in the district.

Meanwhile, the state awaits confirmation on samples sent to the virology lab in Pune. The minister said that the official confirmation of the test results for the Nipah virus is expected on Sunday afternoon. The child's condition is reported to be critical, prompting a transfer from a private hospital in Perinthalmanna to a specialized facility in Kozhikode.

"He will be shifted to the government medical college at Kozhikode. The contact tracing has begun. High-risk contacts have already been isolated and their samples have been sent for testing," George told the media.

The child is under treatment and is on a ventilator, George added.

Minister said the epicentre was Pandikkad and that precautionary measures have already been initiated. She asked the people in the locality of the epicentre and the nearby hospitals to wear masks in public spaces and avoid visiting patients in hospitals.

Health authorities are closely monitoring three individuals who had contact with the child. Strict adherence to the Nipah protocol has been directed by the health department.

Five days ago, the child developed a fever and initially sought treatment from a paediatrician in Malappuram. When the fever persisted, he was admitted to a nearby private hospital. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to Moulana Hospital in Perinthalmanna and later to a private hospital in Kozhikode. At present, the child's parents and uncle are under surveillance as per the instructions of the health department. 

George convened a high-level meeting on Saturday in the Malappuram district after reports of a suspected case of the 'Nipah' virus in the state.

The meeting discussed the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of the public. The officials also reviewed the current situation and the steps taken so far to control the outbreak. The government has also constituted committees to oversee the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Nipah virus control.

On May 19, 2018, a Nipah virus disease (NiV) outbreak was reported in Kozhikode district. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were 17 deaths and 18 confirmed cases as of June 1, 2018. The two affected districts were Kozhikode and Mallapuram.