Munambam Waqf land row snowballs into political issue amid by-elections in Kerala
Union Minister Suresh Gopi recently met the 610 families of Munambam village who are protesting against the Waqf board's claim over their land.
Out of seven patients admitted to hospital after suffering from fever, six have been tested negative for Nipah virus, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja announced on Thursday.
None of the patients has been discharged from the isolation ward.
“All these patients are under close observation and continue to be in the isolation ward of a hospital. The youth who tested positive is also recovering well,” said Shailaja.
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She further said that the source of the virus is not yet confirmed.
The minister further said there was no need to panic as the situation was under control.
High alert across the state will continue and whenever necessary, samples of suspects will be sent to the concerned laboratories including the National Institute of Virology, Pune, she said.
Meanwhile, two persons are learnt to have been put under observation at the Trivandrum Medical College and their samples have been sent for examination.
The special medicine for Nipah patients has been made available in the hospital, the minister said.
“Two of our doctors have got training from the Indian Council of Medical Research in administering this medicine that has come from Australia. In case this medicine has to be administered, the doctors will have to seek permission from the patient’s relatives,” added Shailaja.
On Tuesday, a 23-year-old youth was confirmed to have contracted Nipah virus (NiV) after a positive report by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
Following the reports, the Kerala government asked people to not panic, but seek immediate medical attention if fever develops.
A total of 311 people are under close observation.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said the Centre has assured Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of all possible support.
In May last year, the Nipah (NiV) virus attack had claimed 17 lives in Kerala with the majority cases being reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.
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