Mangaluru (Karnataka): A suspected case of Nipah Virus (NiV) infection has been reported in Mangaluru, about 350 km from Bengaluru. The suspect's sample has been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.
The suspect is a laboratory technician at the District Government Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru. State Health Commissioner K.V. Trilok Chandra said there was no need to panic as he did not exhibit serious symptoms. "However, we need to be alert," he said.
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According to Chandra, the patient had travelled to Goa and was also in contact with a person who returned from Kerala. An 11-year-old boy from Kerala became the first victim of the Nipah Virus a few days ago.
The Commissioner said a detailed advisory on precautions against Nipah was issued after the first confirmed case of the virus was reported in Kerala. "Advanced surveillance measures are in place in all border districts. People coming from Kerala will be kept under surveillance," he said. "We have asked the district officials to monitor arrivals for symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, dizziness, disorientation and convulsions, and anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care," he said.
Talking to ETV Bharat, Dakshina Kannada District Health Officer Dr Kishore Kumar said the man underwent the test voluntarily. "His report will arrive in a day or two," Dr Kumar said.
