Amid the rising concerns over the Nipah virus in Kerala, the total number of infected persons now stands at 5, after a 24-year-old health worker got affected by the virus. The health worker employed at a private hospital in Kozhikode has been confirmed with Nipah virus infection after his samples turned positive, according to an official statement by Kerala Health Minister Veena George. The government is also taking measures to avoid the spread of the virus and has ordered monoclonal antibodies from ICMR to treat a 9-year-old boy, who is on ventilator support in a critical condition. He is currently at a hospital in Kozhikode district.

Nipah Virus In Kerala: Let's Take A Look At All The Latest Updates In The Case

1. As of now, 706 people came in contact with the infected people and of them, 77 are in the high-risk category and 153 health workers are in the low-risk category. 

2. According to the government, the virus which spreads from human to human and has a high mortality rate, is a Bangladesh variant. It is less infectious.

3. George said that testing of the samples is being done regularly in the labs at Kozhikode Medical College and Thonnakkal Virology Lab, and samples of those with intense symptoms will be sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

Total 5 cases of the Nipah virus reported in Kerala according to data on Wednesday (Image Credits: ANI)

4. George on Wednesday also attended a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the wake of the brain-damaging virus that has so far claimed two lives and infected several.

5. Following the meeting, the state health minister said that all the possible prevention measures are in place and there is no need to panic.

6. She also advised people living in forest areas to take the highest precautions as the recent cases of the Nipah virus originated within five kilometres of a jungle area.

7. Some schools and offices have been closed, and over seven villages have been declared as containment zones in the southern part of the state following concerns over the disease. The areas that have been declared containment zones include Atanchery, Maruthonkara, Tiruvallur, Kuttiyadi, Kayakkodi, Villyapalli, and Kavilumpara as containment zones.

8. Movements in or out of these containment zones have been restricted till further notice and the police have been asked to cordon off these areas.

9. According to the official order, shops selling essential goods will be allowed to function from 7 AM to 5 PM. No time bar has been given for pharmacies and health centres. Buses or vehicles plying on the road have been asked not to stop in the affected areas.

10. Local self-government institutions and village offices can function with minimum staff. Banks, other government or quasi-government institutions, educational institutions, and anganwadis should not operate.

(With inputs from agencies)