The samples of four close contacts of the 12 year-old child who succumbed to Nipah virus infection last week has returned negative, but the source was yet to be identified and the government was according top priority to it, Kerala health minister Veena George said here today.
"Four samples of the close contacts of the child were tested again for confirmation. All were tested negative. Our field surveillance is continuing along with the fever surveillance. The sample testing is also continuing in the epicentre of the infection," she told reporters.
She said it was important to identify the source of infection and the surveillance team from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, has been collecting samples from various areas.
"The high risk contacts have been isolated in the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Their health condition is stable. It's important that we identify the source of the infection. We are trying to. The Pune NIV team is collecting samples from various parts to identify the source," she said.
The state government had conducted a complete house-to-house survey within a 3-km-radius from the house of the 12-year-old boy who succumbed to Nipah virus on September 5, as part of its fever surveillance.
The government had earlier stated that around 15,000 houses from the containment zone were included in the survey and details were sought from around 68,000 people.
Scientists Find Fingerprints Of Climate Change On Wayanad Landslides KEAM 2024: BArch Admission Rank List Out, Check Steps To Download Kerala Government Implements 'Fake News Detection' In School Textbooks Tear Gas Fired After Kolkata Protest Against Doctor's Rape-Murder Turns Violent 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court Starbucks' Indian-Origin CEO, Recently Fired, Never Worked Past 6 pm Is Great Britain Still Great? Nation Grapples With Deepening Poverty Crisis Bangladeshi Students On Alert, To Remain On Streets To Resist Chaos India's 78th Independence Day: A Tribute By Google Doodle Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.