2 suspected cases of Nipah virus in Hyderabad, samples sent to Pune lab

Officials have sent the blood samples and throat swabs of the two patients who had suspected symptoms of Nipah virus infection to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for test.

Two people were suspected to have contracted Nipah virus infection in Hyderabad on Friday.

Workers at a fuel station seen wearing safety masks as a precautionary measure after the outbreak of Nipah virus, in Kozhikode, Kerala. (PTI Photo)

Officials have sent the blood samples and throat swabs of the two patients who had suspected symptoms of Nipah virus infection to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for test.

One of the patients, a 25-year old techie, who had travelled to Kerala along with 60 friends last week, has been quarantined at the state-run Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Tropical and Communicable Diseases, also known as Fever Hospital.

The other patient, who never visited Kerala, is undergoing treatment at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).

“So far, no positive case has been detected. The case admitted to Fever hospital is also a suspected one and we sent the samples to Pune. We expect the result to come by Saturday evening,” director of medical education, Ramesh Reddy told reporters.

At least 12 people died and eight others were affected in Kerala’s Kozhikode due to the Nipah virus infection, which spreads mainly through bats, pigs and other animals.

“We have deployed our paramedical staff in colonies to carry out campaign about the Nipah virus among the people. We are specifically advising people not to go to the Kerala,” Hyderabad district medical and health officer Dr Padmaja said.