Nipah Virus: Death toll rises to 14, two more cases confirmed

One more person has succumbed to the deadly Nipah virus infection in Kerala, taking the death toll to 14. The latest victim of the NiV virus has been identified as Ebin, who was in his early 20s.

Ebin was being treated at Baby Memorial Hospital in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, while more two cases of Nipah were confirmed in the state.

Earlier, Lini Puthussery, a nurse who had initially treated infected persons at Perambra Taluk hospital, also died after being infected by the virus.

On Saturday, 750year old Kalyani had died taking the death toll to 13 after undergoing treatment since May 16.

Out of 160 samples that were sent for tests to the National Virology Institute (NVI) Pune, 15 were tested positive, health department sources said. And out of 15 confirmed cases, 14 people have lost their lives so far.

Specialists from NIV, and departments of Animal Husbandry and Forest have started taking samples which would be sent to NIHSAD, for thorough testing of the virus in the fruit bats, said Dr NN Sasi, the Director of Animal Husbandry.

Experts from NIV and departments of Animal Husbandry and Forest have begun collecting samples which would be sent to NIHSAD, to test for presence of the virus in the fruit-eating bats, said Dr N.N. Sasi, the Director Animal Husbandry.