Nipah Virus Detected in Bats of Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The Nipah virus was detected in bat samples collected from Pandikkad in Kerala’s Malappuram district. On July 1, a 14-year-old boy died of Nipah virus infection in Pandikkad.

According to Health Minister Veena George, antibodies were found in six out of 27 fruit bat samples collected within a five-kilometre radius.

The minister added that all persons in contact with the infected individual were tested as per Nipah protocol. They have been negative for the virus so far.

There were 472 persons on the contact list. Out of them 261 have completed the mandatory 21-day isolation period and were removed from the list.