Kerala: 39-year-old woman under observation for Nipah virus dies
A 39-year-old woman, who was under observation for Nipah virus symptoms, has died today. However, the samples of the woman were found to be negative, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said. The cause of her death has to be ascertained, she said. A health department official said the woman accompanied a patient to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital where a Nipah-affected person was being treated.
Woman had come in contact with Nipah-affected persons
After the woman fell ill, she was shifted from Pariyaram Medical College to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital as she showed Nipah virus infection-like symptoms. Health authorities had drawn up a list of 1,949 people who came in contact with the Nipah-affected persons to monitor their health condition. The woman also figured on the list but tested negative for Nipah virus earlier as well.
Two patients undergoing treatment at KMCH
Two patients, who tested positive for the virus, are undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and their condition is stable. Minister Shailaja chaired a high-level meeting in Kozhikode, which was attended by top health officials.
Meetings in Kozhikode and Malappuram, PSC exams postponed
Nipah virus, the newly emerging zoonosis, has so far claimed 16 lives in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Kerala Government postponed all meetings scheduled to be held in the two districts this month till further notice. The Public Service Commission (PSC) has postponed all its written and online exams scheduled to be held until June 16. New dates will be announced later.
Nurses, doctors asked to go on leave
As a precautionary measure, several staffers, including nurses and four doctors, of the Balussery taluk hospital were asked yesterday to go on leave. These doctors and nurses had come in contact with two Nipah virus patients who died.
