They will be moved from isolation ward only after observation: Health Minister

Samples of body fluids taken from six patients at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kochi that were sent to the National Virology Institute, Pune, have tested negative for Nipah.

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However, the patients will be moved from the isolation ward of the hospital only after observation, said Minister for Health K.K. Shylaja here on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the 23-year old confirmed Nipah patient being treated at a private hospital is stable, she added.

Body fluid samples of the seventh suspected case of Nipah admitted to the hospital late on Wednesday have been sent to the virology institutes in Alappuzha and Pune for tests.

Of the seven people in the isolation ward, three are nurses who had provided care to the confirmed Nipah patient. One is his classmate while others are from Chalakudy, Parakadavu and Kothamamalam and are being treated in the medical college hospital. These cases apparently have had no contact with the confirmed case.

The Minister said that all those quarantined for being in direct or indirect contact with the confirmed case will continue in the isolation ward till the incubation period is over.