Health Minister Veena George has issued a stern warning, directing those who have come in contact with the Nipah-infected woman from Valanchery to strictly adhere to a 21-day quarantine in spite of testing negative for the virus.
Ms. George cautioned people against complacency and warned that the situation should not be taken lightly even in the absence of new cases. She pointed out Nipah’s high-priority status globally and the strict national and State protocols in place to combat the viral infection.
Meanwhile, the condition of the 42-year-old woman infected with Nipah continued to be critical on Wednesday. She has been in coma in the intensive care unit of EMS Memorial Cooperative Hospital, Perinthalmanna.
Health officials completed their fever survey by covering 4,749 houses within 3-km radius of the Nipah patient’s house at Valanchery.
As many as 166 people were in quarantine as they had come in contact with the patient after she developed symptoms on April 25. While 65 of them were in high risk, 101 were in low risk.
The Minister asked them to remain in quarantine for 21 days even if they tested negative for Nipah. They were advised to avoid travel and interactions with others. Those violating the quarantine guidelines would be penalised, said an official statement here.
Published – May 14, 2025 09:39 pm IST
