Kerala Health Minister Confirms All Nipah Virus Tests Negative After Boy's Death

Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced that seven samples have tested negative following the death of a 14-year-old due to Nipah Virus. 330 individuals are currently on the contact list, with 101 in the high-risk category. Public health measures are underway.

After a 14-year-old boy died from the Nipah Virus, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed on Sunday that all seven tested samples have come back negative. She noted that there are currently 330 people on the contact list, with 101 categorized as high-risk.

'We tested seven samples today, and all are negative. According to today's assessment, there are 330 people on the contact list, 68 of whom are health workers, 101 are in the high-risk category, and 7 are in IP admission. Of these, 6 had direct contact with the deceased child. Although one did not have an epidemiological link, their sample was tested due to symptoms and proximity to the area, and it was also negative,' she said.

The Health Department continues to test samples from those on the contact list. In the Paandikad panchayat, where the epidemiologic center is located, 307 houses were checked, resulting in 18 fever cases. Similarly, in the Aanakkayam panchayat, 310 houses were surveyed with 10 fever cases reported. None of these cases were linked to the deceased boy. The 14-year-old, who was admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, succumbed to the disease, confirmed the Government of India.

The central government has advised Kerala to implement immediate public health measures, including active case searches in the family and neighborhood of the confirmed case, rigorous contact tracing, strict quarantine, and isolation of suspected cases. The Centre also stressed the need for efficient sample collection and lab testing.