Samikhsya Bureau
The Karnataka health department has sounded high alert in the state against outbreak of Nipah virus in neighbouring Kerala.
In Kerala, seven persons were kept in ICU and more than 300 people were quarantined causing concern about possibility of its spread to neighbouring States.
In the meanwhile, Kerala health minister K.K. Shailaja said on Thursday that six patients who were under observation suspecting Nipah virus at the Government Medical College in Kochi were tested negative.
The lab report received from the National Virology Institute in Pune showed that the six patients were not affected with Nipah, the mMinister told newspersons.
Though the latest report gives much relief, the preparation to counter the deadly virus will continue, Shailaja added.
The samples of six people suffering from fever were sent to Pune as they were under observation following reports that they have been in contact with the 23-year-old college student who tested positive to Nipah infection.
The primary test conducted at the Virology Institute in Alappuzha had also not showed the Nipah infection on the six patients , the minister added.
The blood sample of another person admitted at Kothamangalam hospital will be sent to Pune.
Meanwhile, Aster Medicity Hospital sources said the college student affected with the virus was responding to the Rebavirin medicine.
As many as 314 people were under observation in Kerala after the report of positive Nipah case.
Neighbouring Karnataka however is on alert following the outbreak of Nipah in Kerala.
Karnataka health department assistant director Dr B.G. Prakash Kumar has directed all the government hospital heads in the districts bordering Kerala to be on high alert and send report every day without fail.
He has asked travelling public to delay their visit to Kerala as far as possible after the incidents were reported.
Dr Kumar has asked heads of Hassan, Chamarajanagara, Mysuru districts to take all precautionary measures if anybody reported with symptoms of Nipah virus and send immediate report to the state health department headquarters immediately.
