The condition of five persons, who were admitted to the isolation ward of the Government Medical College at Kalamassery in Kochi following the confirmation of Nipah infection in a 23-year-old youth from Paravur, continues to be stable.
A sixth person, also from Paravur and who was believed to have been in touch with the youth, was being transferred to the isolation ward with fever-like symptoms, said sources.
The infected person continues to make progress at a private hospital in the city. Samples collected from the five suspected cases have been sent to the Manipal Virology Institute and the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to reach Kochi on Thursday for a review meeting of the situation. Health Minister K.K. Shylaja, who was in Kochi on Wednesday, reviewed the situation with experts at a meeting held at the medical college. It was decided not to postpone the reopening of schools as the situation was well under control.
Human monoclonal antibodies, considered to be effective in treating the zoonotic virus infection, have been brought to Kochi and they will be administered to those admitted to the isolation ward, subject to their polymerase chain reaction test results.
The authorities are keeping a close watch on 311 persons who are suspected to have come in contact with the index patient.
