Thiruvananthapuram: Five more people in Kerala tested positive for Zika virus, informed health minister Veena George.

A 38-year-old woman from Aanayara, a 17-year-old resident of Petta, a 26-year old woman from Karamana, a 12-year-old resident of Poojappura and a 37-year-old woman from Killippala, were tested positive for the virus.

The virus infection was confirmed for the five in the tests conducted at the virology lab in Thiruvananthapuram medical college. With this, the number of Zika virus cases mounted to 56 in the state.

At present, 8 patients are identified in the state.

The health minister informed that the patients are stable.

The first case of the mosquito-borne viral infection in the state was confirmed on July 8 in a 24-year-old pregnant woman.

As part of efforts to reduce the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation and district administrations have intensified preventive activities, including fogging for the next few days and set up of a control room.