Kochi: State Health Minister K.K. Shailaja has confirmed that the 23-year-old college student who has been admitted to a private hospital in Kochi is infected with Nipah virus. The National Institute of Virology, Pune has confirmed the case after examining the samples of the patient.
The Health Minister has made it clear that there is no need to panic and all necessary precautions have been taken. "Medicines brought from Australia are available in the National Virology Institue. The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan has confirmed that the centre will provide all the assistance needed for bringing the disease under control" minister said. Isolation wards have been opened in Kochi, Kalamassery, Kozhikode and Thrissur medical colleges. Four people, including two nurses is believed to have contracted the virus.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has also promised cooperation to the government in facing the situation.
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