Two more persons succumbed to the Nipah virus infection in the State on Wednesday as the death toll now stands at 16.
Health authorities gave their names as T.P. Madhusoodanan, 54, of Nellikkode, and Akhil, 28, of Nellikkaparambu at Kodiyathoor, both in Kozhikode district. Madhusoodanan was a senior superintendent at the district court, Kozhikode. He has been undergoing treatment for infection at a private hospital for the past few days. Madhusoodanan is survived by his wife and two sons. He is suspected to have contracted the infection when he visited the Medical College Hospital (MCH) here earlier.
Akhil, son of Mattumuri Keezhpathinoor Sivanandan and Anitha, was admitted to the MCH on Tuesday. His blood and other body fluid samples were tested positive on Wednesday. He was a lorry driver.
The health authorities are reportedly readying to counter a second wave of infection. R.L. Saritha, Director, Health Services, told the media earlier that the contact list of those under observation had been widened to 1,353 now. Nine persons were under surveillance at the MCH now, Dr. Saritha said.
Asked about the death of a Kerala native in Kolkata recently with suspected Nipah symptoms, she said the details were awaited. Medical college Principal V.R. Rajendran said the human monoclonal antibody being procured from Australia was expected to reach Kerala in the next three days.
