A 23-year-old man in Ernakulam district of Kerala has tested positive for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bats-not-ruled-out-as-primary-source-of-nipah-outbreak-health-ministry-142908">Nipah virus infection</a>, state Health and Family Welfare Minister K K Shailaja said in Kochi on Tuesday.

A blood sample of the man was sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune which confirmed the infection, she told in a press conference.

He is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam and his condition is said to be stable. He is&nbsp;not put under any support system like a ventilator as well,&nbsp;Shailaja informed

"The government is fully equipped to deal with the situation. All decisions are being made based on our experience of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-relatives-staying-away-kerala-doctor-performs-last-rites-of-nipah-virus-victims-142596">Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode</a> in May last year," Shailaja had said.

"Good care is being given to the patient. The patient sometimes becomes restless due to fever...We expect a good result," she added.

A special isolation ward has been set up at the Ernakulam Medical College to treat any suspected case.

Watch: 23-year-old Kerala man tested positive for Nipah

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Ernakulam district collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla has said that hospitals in the district have been given instructions on the procedure to be followed if patients with similar symptoms approach them.

"Hospitals have been asked to arrange a special ward for such cases and get special ambulances readied," Safirulla said.

The minister further said a list of 86 people who have interacted with the student has been prepared and they were under medical observation.

Out of the 86, two are suffering from fever and one has been shifted to the isolation ward set up at the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital here, she added.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nipah-virus-controlled-within-12-hours-no-need-to-panic-union-minister-for-health-142403">Minister urged people not to panic</a> and take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

"We have confidence that we can face it. We have faced it in Kozhikode last year and contained it," she said trying to instil confidence among people.

In the wake of the latest reports on Nipah virus, minister of health and family welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan called a review meeting at his residence. He said that a team of six senior officers and scientists have been dispatched to Kerala. He also spoke to the health minister of Kerala.

He also gave&nbsp;an assurance that an anti-NiV drug developed in Australia would be provided to the state to deal with the disease.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nipah-virus-scare-saudi-arabia-bans-import-of-fruits-vegetables-from-kerala-142399">Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family </a>are the natural host of the Nipah virus.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human.

A control room has been opened in Ernakulam district headquarters.

Health authorities in Thrissur had said the student, who was suffering from fever, had sought medical assistance at two private hospitals in that city when he had come to Kochi for a training programme recently as part of his course.

The infected student from Ernakulam district is studying in Thodupuzha in Idukki district.

Officials said the family and neighbours of the young man were also under observation.

On May 19, 2018, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nipah-virus-scare-hunt-for-origin-of-mysterious-brain-damaging-virus-stepped-up-140813">Nipah virus disease</a> (NiV) outbreak was reported from Kozhikode in Malappuram district

As per state government figures, the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nipah-virus-death-toll-mounts-to-16-as-one-more-dies-in-calicut--141380"> Nipah virus had claimed 17 lives</a> -- 14 in Kozhikode and three in neighbouring Malappuram in May last year

According to the WHO, Nipah virus is a newly emerging disease that can be transmitted from its reservoir (natural wildlife host), the flying foxes (fruit bats), to both animals and humans.

It takes its name from Sungai Nipah, a village in Malaysia where it was first identified.

Symptoms range from asymptomatic infection, acute respiratory infection (mild, severe), and fatal encephalitis. Infected people initially develop influenza-like symptoms of fever, headache, myalgia, vomiting and sore throat.

This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis.

Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.&nbsp;

A 23-year-old man in Ernakulam district of Kerala has tested positive for Nipah virus infection, state Health and Family Welfare Minister K K Shailaja said in Kochi on Tuesday.

A 23-year-old man in Ernakulam district of Kerala has tested positive for Nipah virus infection, state Health and Family Welfare Minister K K Shailaja said in Kochi on Tuesday. A blood sample of the man was sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune which confirmed the infection, she told in a press conference. He is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam and his condition is said to be stable. He is not put under any support system like a ventilator as well, Shailaja informed "The government is fully equipped to deal with the situation. All decisions are being made based on our experience of the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode in May last year," Shailaja had said. "Good care is being given to the patient. The patient sometimes becomes restless due to fever...We expect a good result," she added. A special isolation ward has been set up at the Ernakulam Medical College to treat any suspected case. Watch: 23-year-old Kerala man tested positive for Nipah × Ernakulam district collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla has said that hospitals in the district have been given instructions on the procedure to be followed if patients with similar symptoms approach them. "Hospitals have been asked to arrange a special ward for such cases and get special ambulances readied," Safirulla said. The minister further said a list of 86 people who have interacted with the student has been prepared and they were under medical observation. Out of the 86, two are suffering from fever and one has been shifted to the isolation ward set up at the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital here, she added. The Minister urged people not to panic and take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease. "We have confidence that we can face it. We have faced it in Kozhikode last year and contained it," she said trying to instil confidence among people. In the wake of the latest reports on Nipah virus, minister of health and family welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan called a review meeting at his residence. He said that a team of six senior officers and scientists have been dispatched to Kerala. He also spoke to the health minister of Kerala. He also gave an assurance that an anti-NiV drug developed in Australia would be provided to the state to deal with the disease. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural host of the Nipah virus. Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human. A control room has been opened in Ernakulam district headquarters. Health authorities in Thrissur had said the student, who was suffering from fever, had sought medical assistance at two private hospitals in that city when he had come to Kochi for a training programme recently as part of his course. The infected student from Ernakulam district is studying in Thodupuzha in Idukki district. Officials said the family and neighbours of the young man were also under observation. On May 19, 2018, Nipah virus disease (NiV) outbreak was reported from Kozhikode in Malappuram district As per state government figures, the Nipah virus had claimed 17 lives -- 14 in Kozhikode and three in neighbouring Malappuram in May last year According to the WHO, Nipah virus is a newly emerging disease that can be transmitted from its reservoir (natural wildlife host), the flying foxes (fruit bats), to both animals and humans. It takes its name from Sungai Nipah, a village in Malaysia where it was first identified. Symptoms range from asymptomatic infection, acute respiratory infection (mild, severe), and fatal encephalitis. Infected people initially develop influenza-like symptoms of fever, headache, myalgia, vomiting and sore throat. This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis. Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.

Kerala: Man tests positive for Nipah virus infection, health minister Harshvardhan assures 'all help needed'

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Kerala: Man tests positive for Nipah virus infection, health minister Harshvardhan assures 'all help needed'