KOZHIKODE: The 14-year-old boy from Pandikkad in Malappuram, who tested positive for Nipah infection on Saturday, died while under treatment at the Kozhikode government medical college on Sunday morning. The state government has intensified preventive measures, including curbs in Pandikkad and Anakkayam panchayats, and has stepped up contact tracing efforts.
Health Minister Veena George said in Malappuram that the boy, who was on ventilator support, suffered a massive cardiac arrest at 10:50 am, and his death was confirmed at 11:30 am.
She said that authorities have identified 246 contacts of the boy, 63 of whom have been classified as high-risk contacts. The minister stated that samples from all high-risk contacts would be tested.
Three close relatives of the boy, including his father and uncle, are under observation at the Kozhikode government medical college, while four high-risk contacts have been admitted to the Manjeri government medical college.
"One of the persons admitted to the Manjeri government medical college is receiving ICU support as viral fever has been confirmed in the patient. Though doctors don't believe the person has Nipah infection, samples have been sent for testing to rule out the infection," the minister said.
The funeral of the deceased boy will be held according to Nipah protocols.
The boy from Pandikkad tested positive for Nipah on Saturday in tests conducted at the Pune Virology Institute. He developed a fever on July 10, sought treatment at a private clinic on July 12, and consulted a private hospital in Pandikkad on July 13.
Although he was admitted to the same private hospital on July 15, he was later transferred to a private hospital in Perinthalmanna and subsequently to a private hospital in Kozhikode on Friday. He was shifted to the Kozhikode government medical college hospital on Saturday.
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