Two suspected cases of Nipah infections were isolated in city’s public hospitals on Friday, but the test results of both patients were found to be negative, the State health administration said.
According to health officials, the two men were isolated after they exhibited symptoms associated with Nipah virus. One of them, an IT professional, was moved from a private hospital to the city’s Fever Hospital after the government was warned of the patient’s symptoms and travel history. The man was part of a group of 60 people who visited Kerala about a week ago and developed respiratory illness on his return. The current outbreak in Kerala is said to be restricted to Kozhikode and Malapuram, the National Centre for Disease Control said. The individual who was isolated at Fever Hospital did not travel to these regions, the officials said. He has also not shown any neurological symptoms associated with Nipah.
Isolated ward
“Blood and throat swab samples have been sent for testing for Nipah and swine flu. The person admitted at Fever Hospital, without fever, has only tested positive for typhoid. He is being administered antibiotics and has been given a private ward in isolation,” a doctor at the hospital told The Hindu . Ramesh Reddy, director of medical education, said the second person admitted at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences was isolated as he showed symptoms of encephalitis and respiratory problems, prompting ventilation.
Dr. Reddy also said samples from both the individuals were sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune, for testing on Friday morning and the results obtained in the evening confirmed that they were not infected by the virus.
The State government has maintained that it has readied its hospitals to tackle any health emergency and that it would remain vigilant.
