Kerala steps up measures to check spread of Nipah virus infections as positive cases rise to 4; Neighbouring states also on alert

In Kerala, 1080 persons have been included in the contact list of Nipah-infected patients in Kozhikode so far, of which, 297 are in the high-risk category. 29 persons are from neighbouring districts.

Officials said those in the contact list are kept in isolation and their body fluids have been sent for testing. Health workers covered more than 15,000 houses in the district so far, as part of their field survey. 

Wth a Cheruvannoor resident testing positive for Nipah virus yesterday, the Kozhikode District Collector has declared a five-kilometer area around his residence as a containment zone. 

Following this, the authorities have imposed strict perimeter control in  seven municipal wards of the Kozhikode Corporation and in the entire Feroke Municipality.  Barricades have been put up to limit access to these areas.

State Health Minister Veena George who held a high-level meeting yesterday,  asked private hospitals where Nipah patients are undergoing treatment to form medical boards and submit daily reports to the government.

Meanwhile, the district authorities have directed all educational institutions to hold classes online, till the 24th of this month.