Nipah test negative of eight relatives of the child who died from Nipah

(PTI) Kozhikode, Ta. 3

Relief news came for Kerala on Tuesday morning. People who came in contact with a 12-year-old child who died due to the Nipah virus tested negative for Nipah. State Health Minister Veena George said reports of Nipah tests have come in from eight close relatives who came in contact with the child. None of them are infected.

He said the child's parents, health workers did not show any symptoms. Today their report has also come negative. Reports of a close relative of the child coming in negative is a relief news.

George said eight people are currently in the high-risk category. He is being kept in the isolation ward of the medical college. His health is being shown to be stable.

The Minister further said that five more samples were tested in the arrangement made by NIV at the Medical College, Pune. Out of 8, 21 are from Kozhikode, four from Wayanad and eight from Malappuram. There are three in Kannur, one in Palakkad and one in Ernakulam.

The health department said 21 people who came in contact with the child have been identified. Out of which 14 are healthcare workers. The Kerala health department is concerned over the death of a 12-year-old boy on Sunday due to the Nipah virus.