Nipah virus detected in bat samples from Kerala's Malappuram district   

Thiruvananthapuram, August 4

The presence of the Nipah virus has been detected in bat samples collected from Pandikkad in Kerala's Malappuram district, where the death of a 14-year-old boy due to the infection was reported on June 21.

According to Health Minister Veena George, antibodies were found in six out of 27 fruit bat samples collected within a 5 km radius.

The minister said that all tests of those on the contact list of the infected individual conducted as per Nipah protocol have been negative for the virus so far.

A total of 472 people are on the contact list, and 261 individuals who have completed the mandatory 21-day isolation period have been removed from the list, she added. PTI