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Veena George | File Photo - Mathrubhumi archives
Kozhikode: In a major relief to Kerala, 42 samples considered high-risk tested negative for Nipah virus. No new active cases of Nipah have been reported on Sunday. Health Minister Veena George told media that the condition of the four people, including 9-year-old boy on ventilator support, is improving.
Asked how long the vigilance and caution needs to bebe exercised since no new positive cases are being reported, the minister said according to the guidelines and protocols it is 42 days from the last positive case. The incubation period of the virus is 21 days and therefore, "a double incubation period of 42 days from the last positive case" is considered as the period during which caution has to be exercised, George said.
The Minister also added that a comprehensive contact list will be prepared and the help of police will be sought for this. The process is being carried out under 19 teams. A contact list will be prepared after concentrating on the mobile tower locations of the infected along with CCTV visuals.
She also added that an investigation is underway to examine the reason for the death of the pig in Janakikadu. George also said that they are attempting to collect and test 100 samples today. The samples of all the people considered as high risk will be taken, the Minister added.
Meanwhile, the central team will be surveying the area of the 2018 Nipah outbreak and will look for any ecological changes there, the minister said. Besides that, the teams from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are also carrying out field surveys in the district.
"Genomic sequencing of the virus is also being carried out. Bat survey is also going on. Bat survey was carried out last year and earlier this year too," George noted.
A central bat surveillance team is also here which is collecting samples of the mammals.The World Health Organisation and ICMR studies have found that the entire state, not just Kozhikode, is prone to such infections.
(Inputs from PTI)
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