Tamil Nadu: One Case Of Nipah Virus Identified In Coimbatore

A 12-year-old boy from Kerala’s Kozhikode passed away on Sunday morning. He had tested positive for the Nipah virus. In the wake of Nipah virus case being reported in Kerala, Tamil Nadu has stepped up surveillance in nine districts that share borders with Kerala. But now a case of Nipah Virus has been identified in Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu.

Dr. GS Sameeran, District Collector, Coimbatore said: “One case of Nipah virus has been identified in the district. We are taking all precautions. Anyone who comes to a government hospital with a high fever will be tested properly.”

ANI tweeted,

Tamil Nadu | One case of Nipha virus has been identified in the district. We are taking all precautions. Anyone who comes to a government hospital with a high fever will be tested properly: Dr. GS Sameeran, District Collector, Coimbatore pic.twitter.com/QFswyv4nmo

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2021

Kerala where the first case of the Nipah Virus was found has stepped up surveillance. On Monday, samples of eight people with minor symptoms and Rambutan fruits were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune for investigation.

The central team, which was sent to Kerala to support the state in public health measures, visited the house of the boy who died of the virus. 251 people, who are believed to be primary contacts of the boy were identified. They are being closely monitored. The three-km radius from the boy’s house is now a containment zone.

This is not the first time a Nipah virus case was reported from Kerala. On May 19, 2018 the Nipah virus disease (NiV) outbreak was reported in the Kozhikode district of Kerala on May 19, 2018. It had led to 17 deaths.

Also Read: Kerala: 12-Year-Old Boy Dies Of Nipah Virus In Kozhikode