Kozhikode: The state health department has informed that a health worker in Kozhikode tested positive for the Nipah virus on Wednesday. The 24-year-old is a staff of a private hospital in the district. 

A 24-year old health worker at a private hospital has been confirmed with Nipah virus infection after his samples turned positive, a statement from Kerala Health Minister Veena George here said.

With this, the total number of cases have gone up to five, with two individuals undergoing treatment at Medical College. 

Kerala has strengthened measures to prevent the spread of Nipah infection after the brain-damaging virus killed two people in Kozhikode. 

Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George announced crowd control measures in Kozhikode district after the review meeting in the presence of the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and other cabinet ministers. 

The minister has requested the public not to host large-scale events in Kozhikode until September 24. Kozhikode Collector is directed to necessary decisions over the matter. 

789 individuals are on the contact list of the infected, which includes 157 health workers. 13 people were admitted to the isolation ward, and four others in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 78 people in Kozhikode are in the high-risk category. ICMR airlifted the antibody which will soon be available, said Health Minister Veena George.