Samples of eight Nipah suspects test negative in Kerala

KOZHIKODE: Providing a huge relief, the sample results of eight Nipah suspects have tested negative. The result came from National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune in the wee hours, said state health minister Veena George. This includes the result of the deceased boy’s parents as well.

“It’s a huge relief. We are waiting for the result of five more which was sent in the second phase,” said Veena.

Though all the suspected have mild fever and headache, all the suspects are stable. Among the high-risk contacts, 31 are from Kozhikode district, three from Kannur, four from Wayanad, and one each from Ernakulam, Malappuram, and Palakkad. All of them are isolated at the Nipah block of Kozhikode medical college hospital (KMCH).